A $100 million world class Oil and Gas Services Terminal (OGST) at the Takoradi Port in the Western Region was on Friday inaugurated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The OGST is a logistics platform within the port featuring offshore supply vessel (OSV), berthing facilities and serviced waterfront land to support offshore oil and gas exploration and production operations.
The terminal has a 550 metre of quay wall, 752,045 cubic metre of dredging, 703,813 cubic metre of reclamation, 105,500 cubic metre of ground improvement, storage yard, 1.9km of access roads, water supply, a serviced land area for siting of oilfield operators, logistics and operational offices and workshops.
It was funded by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), with GYTD Group, as consultants, the project, which started on November 11, 2022, was completed by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) on September 6, 2024.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo described the OGST as a bold testament of Ghana’s progress in positioning the ports as a leading heartbeat for oil and gas services in the Western Region.
The facility, he noted, would not only streamline offshore supply services, but, also enhance heavy engineering and fabrication activities that were vital to petroleum exploration and drilling campaigns and also offer a comprehensive suite of services.
The terminal, President Akufo-Addo added, would strengthen Ghana’s position as a competitive destination for oil and gas operations, saying “This terminal stands as a hallmark of modern engineering and innovation.”
He said “It provides a one -stop solution for the petroleum exploration industry, enabling efficient transformation of essential resources, supplies and personnel to and from offshore operational zones to reduce transit times and costs, whilst offering specialised facilities to manage hazardous and oversized cargo.”
He continued “Today we celebrate not just the commissioning of a facility, but, the realisation of a vision, one that cements Ghana as a leader in the oil and gas service sector and as a beacon of economic resilience and transformation.”
President Akufo-Addo termed the OGST, the Atlantic container and multi- purpose terminal, the new dry bulk terminal as critical investments in Ghana’s port infrastructure and the realisation of transformative projects that underscored the unwavering commitment of government to enhance Ghana’ s economic competitiveness.
He expressed the government’s determination for Ghana to tap and harness the immense opportunity within the oil and gas, shipping and logistics sectors, assuring the strategic foresight for Ghana’s ports to become gateways for international trade, regional integration and economic growth.
President Akufo-Addo thanked all stakeholders including CHEC and GYTD for their commitment and the successful delivery of the OGST.
Transport Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, noted that, through the leadership and support of President Akufo-Addo for the sector, the Port of Takoradi had been changed for the past eight years.
“The construction of the multi -purpose terminal, the liquid bulk terminal came at a critical point when we were having issues. The President’s contribution to the development of our ports has been enormous,” the minister stated.
The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, indicated that the historic opening of the OGST marked a significant milestone in Ghana’s quest for economic growth, infrastructure development and job creation.
He added “The ceremony is another step to harness the resources to drive development and prosperity and fortunes of the Western Region.”
The Director General, GPHA, Michael A. Luguje, recalled “We assured industry that we’ll get this place developed. We welcome them to come and settle here as a one-stop shop where they have access to the vessels that will come and discharge, they have the facility to store and process whatever other materials they have and then ship back to the oil fields.”
The Director, Takoradi Port, Peter Amo-Bediako, assured that the OGST would be managed to achieve optimum performance
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, TAKORADI AND CLIFF EKUFUL IN ACCRA