One year ago, the contractors commenced work on Phase 2 of the Tema Port Expansion Project. During the mobilisation stage, the CEO of MPS, Mr. Mohamed Samara, and the Head of Legal and Compliance, Mr. Frank Ebo Brown, conducted an inspection of the ongoing mobilisation and safety protocols, where the MPS Project Team pledged their commitment to completing the project without any Lost Time Injuries (LTIs).

Today, the MPS project team proudly announces a major milestone: one million safe working hours without a Lost Time Injury (LTI). This achievement is a result of the collective efforts of the MPS project team, consulting engineers AECOM, and the main contractors EIFFAGE, Desimone, and CONSAR.

Safety has been a cornerstone of the Tema Port Expansion Project. Achieving one million man-hours without an LTI demonstrates the robust safety protocols and procedures implemented across the site. All stakeholders, from construction workers to management, have embraced a safety-first mindset, ensuring that health and safety are top priorities.

Expressing his appreciation, Mr. Abdoul-Rachid Alfa-Traore, Project Manager for MPS, remarked, “Reaching this milestone of one million safe working hours without an LTI is significant, but it is just a milestone in our journey, not a destination.” He further acknowledged the dedication, expertise, and collaboration of all partners involved, highlighting how proactive safety measures and accident prevention controls were instrumental in achieving this success.

Mr. Ernest Lartey, Manager for Project Consultants AECOM, emphasized the importance of sustaining this high level of HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) performance moving forward. “Our goal is simple: to ensure everyone comes to work healthy and goes home healthy. Achieving this milestone is a testament to the effectiveness of our safety practices, and our team remains committed to fostering a strong culture of safety.”

With a workforce of approximately 700, which will scale up at the project’s peak, the HSE team has maintained strict adherence to both global safety standards and local regulations. Daily toolbox talks, continuous risk assessments, and a monthly recognition and reward program have encouraged active employee participation in maintaining a safe work environment.

Representatives from the Joint Venture contractors, Mr. Gregory Le Roux and Mr. Roberto Manchiori, commended the workforce’s commitment to safety. “This achievement reflects our collective dedication to upholding the highest safety standards. The commitment of our teams to follow strict safety guidelines has been essential in reaching this milestone. As we progress, maintaining safety as our top priority is crucial to completing the project without any LTIs.”

A week-long celebration was organized to commemorate this achievement, highlighting MPS’s leadership in safety and community engagement. Activities included mass safety toolbox talks, a skit on heat stress management, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) demonstrations, outreach programs at local schools, and the presentation of Safety Star Awards to outstanding individuals.

MPS CEO, Mr. Mohamed Samara, reaffirmed the company’s ongoing commitment to safety. “Operating safely and responsibly is vital to the sustainability of MPS. Achieving one million safe man-hours without an LTI not only demonstrates our dedication to safety but also highlights our ability to deliver projects on time while adhering to design standards and workmanship quality. I want to personally thank each of you for your hard work, and I encourage you to continue placing safety at the heart of your daily activities.”

MPS’s “Safety by Choice, NOT by Chance” program determine that building a successful safety culture is a shared responsibility. “Our journey towards safety excellence is driven by our core values and meticulous planning to mitigate both present and future risks,” Mr. Samara added.

The event was attended by senior executives of AGL and the Contractors namely Ms. Anne Dervilly Deputy Director – Engineering and Construction (AGL) and Craig Thackray- Vice President, MEA (AECOM). As an acknowledgement of their outstanding leadership in safety for the project, Luigi Toppan-Site Manager for CONSAR, Ahmed Adjei-Safety Manager for AECOM and Greg Le Roux -Project Manager for the Joint Venture were presented with AECOM’s Executive Leadership Award medals.

Looking Ahead to 2025 Completion

The second phase of the Tema Port Expansion Project is set to expand the terminal’s footprint from 100 hectares to 127 hectares. The project is on track for its scheduled completion in September 2025.

The project involves paving an additional 270,000-square-meter container stacking yard, with 10 thousand square meters completed to date. Other critical upgrades include constructing a marine building and warehouse, adding more terminal gates, installing new CCTV and Wi-Fi systems, and boosting backup power capacity from 12 MVA to 25.5 MVA.

About the Tema Port Expansion Project

The Tema Port Expansion Project is a transformative infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing and modernizing one of West Africa’s largest and busiest ports. Carried out in multiple phases, the project aims to increase the port’s capacity from 2 million TEUs to 2.5 million TEUs, enhancing efficiency to support regional trade and economic growth.