Ghana and Sao Tome, and Principe have agreed to collaborate on constructing a joint port facility that will serve as a gateway for trade and commerce between the two West African nations. The port will be located in Tema or Takoradi, two of Ghana’s major coastal cities, and will receive goods from various parts of the world for onward shipping to Sao Tome.
This was announced by the Minister of Transport of Ghana, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, on Monday when he received a delegation from Sao Tome led by the Minister of Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Environment, Adelino Cardoso. The two ministers discussed strengthening their bilateral ties, especially in the transport sector.
According to Asiamah, Ghana has invested heavily in developing its ports, particularly the Takoradi Port, which was built in 1928 and has undergone a major facelift recently. The port now boasts a new container multipurpose terminal with a draft of 15 meters, among other modern facilities and equipment. He said the Tema Port was also equally in good shape and could be an alternative option for Sao Tome.
Asiamah expressed his happiness about the ongoing discussions and hoped they would soon reach a final decision on the location of the joint port facility. He said Ghana was ready to share its expertise and experience with Sao Tome in port operations and management.
Cardoso, on his part, commended Ghana for transforming its ports and said Sao Tome was eager to learn from its neighbor. He said the joint port facility would enhance the trade and economic relations between the two countries and also create opportunities for regional integration. He said Ghana’s location was ideal and would not challenge Sao Tome’s access to the global market.
He also invited Ghanaians to visit Sao Tome and enjoy its rich natural and cultural attractions. He said Sao Tome was a peaceful and beautiful country with a lot to offer to tourists.
The joint port facility project is part of a broader cooperation agreement signed by the two countries in 2019, which covers areas such as agriculture, health, education, energy, and tourism. The agreement aims to foster mutual understanding and friendship between the two nations and promote their common interests.
The project also aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which came into effect in January 2021 and aims to create a single market for goods and services across the continent. The AfCFTA is expected to boost intra-African trade, industrialization, and economic development.
Source: Business Ghana
