Ghanaian private investment company, IBISTEK operators of the newly established Takoradi Container Terminal (TACOTEL) says it’s open to partner UK firms to begin phase II of the Takoradi port expansion project.
According to the management of the company, the project when completed in December 2020 is expected to increase between 800, 000 to 1,000,000 (Twenty Footer Equivalent Unit) per annum.
The total cost of the project is expected to cost an amount of $422 million dollars and is expected to commence first quarter of 2018 with financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
When the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Iain Walker together with Adam Afriyie MP, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ghana and delegation toured the facility on a fact finding mission, Lawyer for IBISTEK, Mr. Kwame Gyan said the expansion of the project will increase efficiency at the port and reduce congestions at the port.
He added that the expansion works at the Takoradi Port will also create more direct and indirect job opportunities for unemployed youths in the country.
Meanwhile, Project Technical Consultant, Captain James Owusu Koranteng is also optimistic that after completion of the project will boom business activities at the port and the entire Western Region.
The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Iain Walker said as Ghana moves “Beyond Aid”, he looks forward the UK private sector investing and partnering with the government of Ghana in the areas that will transform Ghana’s future, creating sustainable growth and employment opportunities.
He added that the UK government’s focus is on supporting high value projects to enable Ghana to achieve its development agenda, particularly infrastructure needs, including such as rails, roads, ports.
Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ghana, Adam Afriyie also commended the government for moving into electronic transaction at the various ports.
“As a trade envoy from the United Kingdom, I think the changes that has been made, digitised, computerised which make transactions in the port in making direct bank transactions is really a good move and its good for the future because there are many UK businesses and UK government that wants to invest in Ghana looking at the changes in the country” Adam Afriyie stated.
