Tema Shipyard and Drydock Board Inaugurated

March 3, 2026

2 minutes read

The Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has cautioned the newly inaugurated Board of Directors of the Tema Shipyard and Drydock (TSY) against interfering in the day-to-day management of the company, stressing that their mandate is strategic oversight rather than operational control.

He said a stable and transparent governance framework is critical to restoring investor confidence and repositioning the shipyard as a competitive maritime hub in the sub-region.

Speaking at the inauguration of the nine-member board in Accra on Friday, Mr Nikpe underscored the importance of strict adherence to good corporate governance principles. He stated that while the Board is expected to provide policy direction and strategic leadership, responsibility for the shipyard’s daily operations remains with management.

Mr Nikpe further emphasised that under the existing governance framework, the Board operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport and must not engage with any authority above the Ministry without prior consultation and approval.

He described the constitution of the new Board as a pivotal step in Ghana’s ambition to position itself as the maritime hub of West Africa. According to him, the move aligns with the government’s broader agenda to reset the economy under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, with a focus on infrastructure development, logistics, and job creation under the 24-Hour Economy policy.

“As the main gateway for international trade, Ghana’s ports and related infrastructure must be positioned to drive economic growth and support national development,” the Minister said.

Mr Nikpe reiterated that the Tema Shipyard and Drydock is a strategic national asset established under Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, adding that the facility remains one of the largest ship repair and dry-docking installations in the sub-region and holds significant potential to advance Ghana’s Blue Economy.

To harness this potential, he said the government intends to modernise the country’s maritime infrastructure to meet world-class standards while ensuring commercial viability. Plans are underway to retool and revamp the shipyard through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) aimed at restoring it to competitiveness on the global stage.

The Minister also disclosed plans to collaborate with the private sector to establish technical schools specialising in shipbuilding and ship repair to equip Ghanaian youth with industry-ready skills and enhance local participation in the maritime value chain, including support services for the oil and gas sector.

The nine-member Board is chaired by Dr George Sipa-Adjah Yankey, with Alhaji Osman Sulemana, Millicent Wutsika, Mahama Adam Jandah, Samuel Bavug Wusah, Kofi A. Asmah, Abubakari Muaz Zemoli, Obed Koah Opintan, and Albert Derrick Fiatui serving as members.

Speaking on behalf of the board members, Dr Yankey pledged the Board’s commitment to transforming the shipyard into a leading maritime facility in Africa, assuring the Ministry of full compliance with the established governance structure.

BY RAYMOND APPIAH-AMPONSAH

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