2024 in Retrospect Tema, environs record mixed bag of activities
The year 2024 was one that saw the port city of Tema and its environs witness the inauguration of some projects to enhance the economy of the country and improve living conditions.
These include energy, transport infrastructure and agriculture sectors.
The year 2024 in Tema started on a bright note with former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo inaugurating a $2billion oil refinery, Sentuo Oil Refinery Limited, at the Tema industrial hub in January 2024.
The project situated on a 100-acre land, was under the One District, One Factory (1D1F) policy and could refine five million barrels of oil per annum.
Another project that saw the light of day was a 200-megawatt Ghana Bridge Power Plant at Kpone, near Tema, in the Greater Accra Region in November.
The project constituted the first phase of a 515MW bridge power plant owned and developed by three parties: Endeavour Energy Limited, a leading US independent power development and generation company focused on West Africa; General Electric (GE) Vernova, a world leader in gas turbine technology, and a Ghanaian partner, Andaris Energy, an independent energy trading company, at an estimated $1.2 billion.
Also the phase two of the Tema Motorway Interchange in the Greater Accra Region was inaugurated by former President Akufo-Addo in December 2024.
The second phase is a full three-tier interchange, with the flyover on Tema Harbour, south side to Akosombo, north side, bound on the road.
Another project inaugurated in November 2024 by former President Akufo-Addo was the 97.7- kilometre Tema-Mpakadan standard gauge railway line and two modern Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains at Tema with the aim of reviving the country's rail transport.
The flamboyant ceremony fully compensated for the agony of the April 18, 2024 test-run mishap, which temporarily threw the initial plans out of gear.
Industrial actions
Freight forwarders in Tema during the year under review embarked on a protest against what they termed exploitative practices by shipping lines in Ghana.
The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), in collaboration with the Association of Customs House Agents of Ghana, Freight Forwarders Association of Ghana, Customs Brokers Association of Ghana, and a coalition of trade associations converged on the premises of GIFF to press home their demands.
They explained that the protest was aimed at raising awareness of unfair fees and practices imposed by shipping lines, which were negatively affecting Ghana’s economy and businesses in the logistics and trade sectors.
Fuel tanker drivers operating in Tema in May 2024 also declared a sit-down strike over what they said were bad conditions of service. Members of the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union said an already agreed policy framework aimed at enhancing their salaries and other working conditions, which has been pending since November 2023, was not being implemented. Following their action, the National Petroleum Authority and other regulatory bodies stepped in to resolve the concerns of the drivers.
Water crisis
During the year under review, students and staff of the Ningo Senior High Technical School in the Ningo Prampram District in the Greater Accra Region heaved a sigh of relief following the construction of a mechanised water system for the school.
The water system, expected to improve access to potable water for the students and staff, was funded by the United Dangme Association of USA Incorporated (UDA-USA Inc).
The school, which has a population of 1750 students with majority being females, has for a number of years been grappling with water issues.
Business
The shipping business also witnessed some strides with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), one of the leading shipping companies in the maritime industry, inaugurating an ultramodern office building in Tema in April 2024.
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) also inaugurated four new boats to enhance its operations at the Tema and Takoradi ports.
The two pilot launchers and security patrol boats, which were commissioned in April 2024, were aimed at improving services at the ports.
The pilot boats are to transport maritime pilots between the shore and inbound ships to ensure efficient and safe embarking and disembarking from vessels, while the security boats will add to the GHPA's security infrastructure to enhance the port's international ship and port facility security compliance, as well as security within the anchorage to avert threats of terrorism, smuggling, illegal immigration, piracy and unauthorised access to sensitive sections of the port.
Other businesses such as Zonda Tec Ghana Limited and Shantui Construction Machinery Co. Ltd also established a training centre to provide hands-on training for young people in Ghana in the area of Heavy-duty vehicle assembling and maintenance in April 2024
The partnership includes a service centre and a truck-assembling unit for bulldozers, road rollers, loaders and excavators as well as spare parts.
The move was expected to make Shantui Construction Machinery Co. Ltd products and services available to key market players in Ghana.
Crime
Two persons died following a clash between some youth and navy personnel at Tema Manhean in the Greater Accra Region on the evening of Friday, April 12, 2024.
The youth, as part of the Kplejoo festival had embarked on a street procession and on arrival at the street in front of the Eastern Naval Command, a misunderstanding ensued between the youth and the ratings on duty. In the process, a vehicle belonging to the Navy was allegedly destroyed by some youth in the crowd.
In the ensuing fracas between the youth and the ratings, two persons were killed through gunshot wounds.
Agriculture
In May last year, South Korea unveiled its investment package in Ghana’s rice production at the Dawhenya Irrigation Scheme in the Greater Accra Region.
Known as the K-Ricebelt project, it is aimed at providing small farmers in the beneficiary countries with resilient rice varieties to combat the challenges posed by the climate crisis.
A marine research vessel (R/V), Dr Fridtjof Nansen, during the year under review, docked at the Tema Port after completing an ecosystem survey in Ghanaian waters.
The survey was part of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF)-Nansen Programme that the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Norway and other partners are helping Ghana to implement.
Still on irrigation, the second phase of the project to refurbish the Kpong Irrigation Scheme (KIS) commenced in October 2024
The second phase aims to offer access to irrigation water to smallholder farmers, private commercial farmers and other stakeholders.
Entertainment
On the entertainment front, a Tema based professional music producer and sound engineer Manasseh T. Nartey, who goes by the stage name Forqzy Beatz, staged an attempt to set a Guinness World Records Rec-A-Thon for 100 hours in March 2024.
Another compatriot, a Ghanaian Chef, Gertrude Osei Mensah, also staged an attempt to break the Guinness World Record longest baking marathon by an individual in June 2024. Both were unsuccessful in their bids.
Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh