The Chief Executive Officer of Meridian Port Services (MPS), Mohamed Samara, has announced plans to construct a major arterial road linking the Tema Port Enclave directly to the Accra-Tema Motorway, a move aimed at improving cargo movement, reducing congestion, and enhancing trade connectivity across Ghana and the West African sub-region.
Mr. Samara disclosed the ambitious infrastructure project during a working visit by the Deputy Minister for Transport and Member of Parliament for Jomoro, Hon. Dorcas Affo-Toffey, to the MPS Terminal 3 facility at Tema Port.
According to the MPS CEO, the proposed road project forms part of broader efforts to strengthen logistics efficiency at Ghana’s largest seaport and facilitate the smooth movement of cargo trucks between the port and major transport corridors.
“We have a project to build an arterial road that connects the Port Enclave with the Tema-Accra Motorway. When that happens, we will have a smoother flow and greater capacity for trucks to connect to the motorway, which in turn will connect the entire port with the hinterland, whether within Ghana or beyond,” Mr. Samara stated.
He expressed optimism that construction of the road could commence next year, describing it as a critical investment that will further enhance Tema Port’s role as a regional trade hub.
Beyond the road project, Mr. Samara highlighted the urgent need for additional truck parks and logistics support infrastructure within the Tema industrial enclave to accommodate the growing volume of cargo traffic generated by the port.
He appealed to the Ministry of Transport, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), and local authorities to create and preserve designated spaces for truck operations rather than allowing such lands to be converted for other industrial purposes.
According to him, the absence of adequate truck parking and maintenance facilities is increasingly becoming a challenge as trade volumes continue to rise.
“We hope the ministry, GPHA, and the Tema Township will create an environment where truck parks can be maintained for trucks and not given to other industries, forcing trucks onto the roads,” he said.
Mr. Samara noted that while several proposals for truck parks and logistics holding areas have been presented, implementation has not kept pace with the rapid growth of economic activity and cargo movement through the port.
He stressed that Tema’s status as both an industrial city and host of Ghana’s largest port requires significant investments in road infrastructure, truck holding bays, and parking facilities to support heavy industrial operations.
“For a city like Tema, which hosts both a major port and an industrial township, there must be greater road capacity and larger parking spaces for heavy industry,” he added.
Responding to the request, Affo-Toffey acknowledged the importance of preserving strategic land for infrastructure expansion, noting that such developments would significantly enhance cargo handling and logistics management at the port.
She explained that additional land would help address challenges related to parking and traffic congestion while creating room for future infrastructure that would streamline port activities.
Mohamed Samara, CEO of MPS and Dorcas Affoe-Toffey, Deputy minister of Transport
The MPS CEO also reiterated the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability, revealing ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions and minimise noise pollution through the adoption of cleaner technologies.
He emphasized that sustainability remains a key priority for MPS as it seeks to align its operations with global environmental standards.
“The environment in which we work is very important. We cannot continue to pump diesel emissions into the atmosphere. We need to monitor and reduce our carbon footprint,” he said.
Mr. Samara explained that MPS has been investing heavily in electric-powered equipment to replace conventional diesel-powered machinery at the terminal.
According to him, the transition has yielded significant benefits, including reduced emissions, lower noise levels, and improved operational efficiency.
“Noise is also a form of pollution. By removing diesel engines, the equipment becomes quieter for operators. Electric engines are silent and produce less smoke and less combustion. Productivity also increases because operators experience less fatigue and stress,” he explained.
He noted that the shift toward greener operations is consistent with a global movement within the maritime and logistics industry to embrace sustainable technologies and reduce environmental impact.
Meridian Port Services has emerged as one of Africa’s leading container terminal operators following its multi-billion-dollar expansion of Terminal 3 at Tema Port.
Widely regarded as the premier container terminal in West Africa, the facility boasts world-class infrastructure designed to handle some of the world’s largest container vessels.
Following the completion of its Phase Two expansion programme, the terminal now covers 127 hectares and features a 1.4-kilometre quay with four deep-water berths capable of accommodating vessels with drafts of up to 16 metres.
The expansion has increased the terminal’s annual handling capacity to approximately three million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), significantly strengthening Ghana’s position as a gateway for international trade and transit cargo within the sub-region.
MPS operates some of the most advanced cargo-handling equipment in Africa, including Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes and electric Rubber Tyred Gantry (eRTG) cranes, supported by sophisticated terminal management systems that ensure efficient cargo operations.
The company also runs an advanced Equipment Simulation Facility dedicated to training operators and improving safety standards, further reinforcing its reputation as a technologically advanced and environmentally responsible logistics hub.
The planned arterial road project is expected to complement these investments by improving accessibility, reducing turnaround times for cargo trucks, and enhancing the overall competitiveness of Tema Port as a key maritime gateway for Ghana and its neighbouring landlocked countries.
By 1960news.com
