Mahama Shortlists Seven Firms for Keta Port as Project Gains Momentum

Seven companies have been shortlisted to partner with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) in developing the proposed Keta Port in the Volta Region, President John Dramani Mahama has announced, marking a significant step forward for a project that has been under discussion for years.

The companies were selected from 47 firms that submitted expressions of interest to partner with the authority as strategic investors. Speaking at the 2026 Hogbetsotso Festival in Anloga on Saturday, President Mahama said the selection followed a due diligence process, with the shortlisted firms now expected to proceed to the next stage of development.

“Due diligence has been conducted, and this has been shortlisted to seven companies,” he said. The next phase, according to the President, will involve finalising the project designs and securing the necessary financing to pave the way for construction to commence.

Background to the Project

The announcement represents the culmination of a lengthy preparatory process. The GPHA had previously indicated that 42 investors, both local and international, had expressed interest in the project following the approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) permit by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in April 2026. The pool of interested firms eventually grew to 47 before the shortlist was finalised.

The EPA permit was a pivotal milestone, clearing the path for investor engagement and the next phase of development. The proposed port is expected to become Ghana's third commercial port, complementing operations at Tema and Takoradi, and is anticipated to stimulate economic activity within the Volta Region through improved logistics services and job creation.

Administration Block on Track

President Mahama also disclosed that the administration block for the port, which was started under the previous administration, is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2027. The project, being executed by contractors PSB Realty Company Limited, was reported to be approximately 70 percent complete as of June 2026, with structural works on the main administration building fully completed. The GPHA had earlier targeted January 2027 for the facility to be operational.

Broader Regional Development

The Keta Port project forms part of a broader infrastructure strategy for the Volta Region. President Mahama has previously outlined plans for an Eastern Corridor Railway extending from Tema through the Dawa Industrial Area to Keta, designed to shift heavy cargo from roads to rail and optimise cargo movement to and from the proposed port.

The proposed port is also expected to include modern container and cargo terminals, a shipyard for vessel repairs and maintenance, and road infrastructure linking the port to the national road network.

Traditional Authority Calls for Timelines

The announcement comes amid pressure from traditional authorities for concrete progress. The Paramount Chief of Anlo, Togbui Sri III, used the occasion of the festival to urge the government to provide a clear roadmap for the Keta Port and other delayed coastal protection projects, warning that public support should not be mistaken for complacency.

“We have been peaceful, we have been patient and we have been supportive, but our cooperation must not be mistaken for complacency,” the chief said, calling for transparent timelines for the port project.

President Mahama reaffirmed the government's commitment to advancing the Keta Port project, stating that it is expected to create economic opportunities for communities across the Volta Region.