Ghana is set to end decades of reliance on foreign shipyards as President John Dramani Mahama will be inspecting the commencement of construction works on a US$137 million modern ship repair and dry-docking facility at the Port of Takoradi.
The facility, known as Project Shiprite, will be the first of its scale in the Gulf of Guinea, allowing vessels operating along West Africa’s busy shipping lanes to repair and service without making costly detours to South Africa, Dubai or Europe.
The inspection ceremony, to be held on 10th November 2026, in Takoradi, follows the successful financial close of the project. President Mahama will be attending as a Special Guest, alongside the Minister of Transport, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and investors.
430 Jobs, Women in Technical Roles
Developed by Prime Meridian Docks Ghana Limited (PMD) under a 25-year concession from GPHA, the project will create up to 430 direct jobs and open up supply and skills opportunities for Ghanaians.
In a major inclusion push, the project has secured a US$300,000 grant from the UK-backed Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) for a 24-month programme to train and integrate more women into the technical workforce – welders, engineers, dock technicians and marine specialists.
“When we launched the Growth Partnership in London, we set out a shared ambition to unlock investment and grow together. Shiprite is a powerful expression of that ambition,” said H.E. Dr Christian Rogg, British High Commissioner to Ghana.
Project Shiprite was unveiled as a flagship investment under the UK-Ghana Growth Partnership signed in London in June 2026.
Ghanaian pension funds back project
For Stanley Ahorlu, CEO of PMD, the milestone is personal after years of work.
“Reaching this financing milestone reflects years of work by PMD and our partners. We are now focused on delivering a reliable ship repair facility at Takoradi, developing Ghanaian technical skills and creating opportunities for local businesses,” he said.
Major General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, Director General of GPHA, said the project will “reduce the long distances vessels currently travel to access reliable shipyards” and position Takoradi as a leading destination for ship repair in the region.
The project is uniquely Ghanaian-led but internationally-backed, financed by a consortium including PIDG’s InfraCo, ARM-Harith Infrastructure Fund, Afreximbank, African Development Bank, Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank, and crucially, Petra Pension Schemes and Origen Private Debt Fund – pioneering the use of Ghanaian pension funds for strategic infrastructure.
The facility will be operated by Rigmar Ghana Limited, part of the Interocean Group, as technical partner.
Beyond jobs, the project is expected to cut fuel use and emissions by eliminating long diversion voyages, supporting Ghana’s green maritime agenda.
By Robert Dela Mawuenyegah // Newswatchgh.com
