Sao Tome has expressed interest in using Takoradi Port as a transshipment corridor for cargoes from other countries.
If the proposal materialises, it will increase the tonnage of port operations and shore-up revenue while improving cooperation among the two countries.
This was revealed by Adelino Cardoso, Minister of Infrastructure Natural Resources and Environment, Sao Tome, during a visit to Takoradi Port with Minister of Transport Kwaku Ofori Asiamah and some officials from the sector.
Peter Amoo-Bediako, Director-Takoradi Port, and some heads of department took the team to the Dry Bulk Terminal, ATS Multi-Purpose and Container Terminal, Takoradi Container Terminal (TACOTEL) among others.
The visit was for Mr. Cardoso to acquaint himself with the facility at Takoradi Port. Already, he had visited Port Tema to enable him decide which of the ports in Ghana could be used for the transit of goods.
“Yesterday, I visited Tema Port and today I am here in Takoradi. The transport minister told me that Takoradi Port is technically positioned for free zone, so it is better to do business at the Takoradi Port,” he explained.
He praised the port’s management for the numerous ongoing expansions works.
Minister of Transport
According to the Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, he paid a visit to Sao Tome in February this year to familiarise himself with the cooperation that Ghana is having with Sao Tome by jointly managing the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana Air Space that is the Civil Aviation.
“So, I needed to go there to have a look at our activities and see if we can deepen our competition. Thankfully, we’re able to extend our cooperation over the next seven years. He did promise to pay me a visit; that is why we are here,” he explained.
Takoradi Port, the Minister said, is now a new port with an old name that was constructed in 1928. “With the coming of President Akufo-Addo, we thought that Ghana was positioning itself in such a way the port facility could be used as a hub – so, he turned his attention to the development Takoradi Port.”
Takoradi Port, he said, now boasts new facilities such as the new Liquid Bulk facility and bulk jetty which is automated; these facilities are the most modern in West Africa – as well as a Multi-Purpose Container Terminal with a draft of 16 metres that is able to compete with any other port in the world.
“We have also constructed an oil and gas terminal will be ready by August next year and be commissioned for business. We believe that with a lot of oil activities going on within the Western enclave, it is better and appropriate we have such a facility at Takoradi Port; where vessels that call within our waters can do their servicing without going to other countries,” he added
Asked what the country stands to benefit, he answered: “This is very important to us, because more cargoes are going to come and increase our tonnage so far as port operations are concerned. And for them, because they don’t have deep enough draft, the drawback is that when smaller vessels from Europe go into their country the cost of shipment becomes high. But if they can do a federal shipment from Takoradi to Sao Tome, which is not far, it will reduce the cost of shipping – and this will be beneficial to them. So, on both sides, it will be a win-win situation,” Mr. Asiamah said
TACOTEL
At the Takoradi Container Terminal (TACOTEL) – a subsidiary of IBISTEK, the Terminal Manager -Richmond Appiah explained that the facility receives, stores and delivers for consignees.
“The facility has 87,000 square metres for operations, and all stakeholders – such as the Standards Authority, Ghana Shippers Authority, Customs, Energy Commission, Food and Drugs Authority among others – are here, as it serves as a one-stop shop.”
