Ghana is strengthening its position as a regional maritime and energy hub following the launch of more than $235 million in port expansion projects and the announcement of a major offshore oil and gas discovery, signalling renewed investment momentum in the country’s blue economy.
President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday officially launched two major expansion projects at Takoradi Port, comprising a $137 million ship repair and maintenance facility and a $98.41 million berth development, while separately announcing a new offshore discovery expected to strengthen Ghana’s petroleum sector.
The port developments include Project Shiprite, an integrated ship repair and maintenance facility being developed by Prime Meridian Docks Ghana Limited (PMD), and Berth 19, a 300-metre-long facility with a capacity to accommodate vessels of up to 75,000 deadweight tonnes.
Project Shiprite is designed to serve cargo and offshore vessels, addressing a major gap in West Africa’s maritime industry by providing local repair and maintenance services. The facility is expected to position Ghana as a competitive maritime services destination and reduce the need for vessels operating along the Gulf of Guinea to travel to Europe or Durban, South Africa, for maintenance.
The project will operate under a 25-year concession and is scheduled for completion within 18 months.
President Mahama said the investment would generate significant employment opportunities, particularly for young people, while strengthening Ghana’s industrial and maritime capabilities.
“What pleases me the most is that it will create 430 jobs for our young people. This is all part of the Big Push and the Reset Agenda to create jobs,” he said.
He noted that oil rigs operating along the Gulf of Guinea and vessels from neighbouring countries, including Nigeria, have traditionally faced limited local options for specialised maintenance services.
Mahama said private-sector participation would be critical to improving the management and competitiveness of Ghana’s maritime infrastructure, while urging investors to prioritise local content and technology transfer.
“I believe if they gain the technology transfer, it will even make them internationally marketable,” he said.
The second project, Berth 19, is being financed by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) using internally generated resources. It is expected to improve port operations, increase revenue and create additional capacity for future expansion.
To support the investments, Mahama said the government had secured funding for the Western Railway Line and selected major highways under the Big Push infrastructure programme.
The transport links are expected to improve the movement of cargo from Takoradi to Ghana’s hinterland and landlocked Sahelian markets, strengthening the port’s role in regional trade and logistics.
The maritime investments come as Ghana seeks to expand its petroleum production capacity following the announcement of a new offshore oil and gas discovery at the Nya Gyidie 9-1X well in the Deepwater Cape Three Points contract area.
The discovery was made by Planet One Oil and Gas Ltd in partnership with Goil Upstream Ltd and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Local Content Conference in Takoradi, Mahama described the discovery as an important milestone for Ghana’s exploration industry.
He said the name Nya Gyidie, meaning “faith” in the Twi language, reflected the determination of the exploration consortium to invest in Ghana’s petroleum potential.
The discovery is particularly significant because it represents the country’s first successful test of a Cenomanian-Turonian Carbonate-Clay geological play, potentially opening new opportunities for exploration in similar offshore formations.
Mahama said the development demonstrated growing investor confidence in Ghana’s petroleum sector following reforms aimed at attracting exploration capital and strengthening local participation.
“Our priority now is to accelerate responsible exploration and to swiftly put in place the crucial infrastructure Ghana needs to develop its petroleum resources sustainably,” he said.
He added that Ghana must translate its natural resource discoveries into employment, business opportunities and long-term economic benefits for its citizens.
The developments highlight the growing connection between Ghana’s maritime infrastructure and energy ambitions. Takoradi Port, strategically located along the country’s western coastline, is positioned to support offshore petroleum operations, cargo transportation and trade with neighbouring countries.
For Ghana, expanding port capacity while attracting fresh investment into offshore exploration could strengthen local supply chains, create skilled employment and increase opportunities for domestic companies in maritime engineering, logistics, oilfield services and related industries.
The government’s emphasis on railway and highway connectivity, alongside local content and technology transfer, will be critical in ensuring that the investments generate wider economic benefits beyond the energy and shipping industries.
