At the heart of West Africa’s maritime renaissance stands Meridian Port Services Ltd. (MPS), the company behind one of the continent’s most significant port infrastructure achievements. Located on the western coast of Africa, MPS Terminal 3 at Tema Port is a world-class facility purpose-built to meet the growing demands of international trade. Through strategic investment, advanced technology, and visionary planning, MPS has created a mega infrastructure that delivers unmatched capacity and connectivity to major global trade routes from, to, and within Sub-Saharan Africa.

This transformative development, which has firmly positioned Ghana as a logistics and trade hub, was made possible through the firm commitment of MPS’s shareholders, Africa Global Logistics (AGL), APM Terminals, and the Government of Ghana through the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), under the leadership of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama. Their joint vision and capital investment turned a bold ambition into a sustainable reality. The success of the project was further strengthened by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which played a key role in leading a syndicate of global and local financial institutions to structure and secure the project financing required for the execution of this landmark development.

A Trailblazing Legacy in Maritime Infrastructure

Mr. Mohamed Samara, Chief Executive Officer of Meridian Port Services Ltd. has been honoured with the Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize at the 2025 Millennium Excellence Foundation 25th Anniversary under the auspices of the Life Patron, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, one of the continent’s most prestigious recognitions of visionary leadership and transformative impact.

With over three decades of executive leadership in Africa’s maritime and transport sectors, Mr. Samara has been a driving force behind the development of critical trade infrastructure across the continent. His broad expertise spans shipping liner services, logistics, container terminal operations, port development, trade route expansion, and stakeholder engagement across the West African sub-region.

As the founding Director and CEO of MPS since 2002, Mr. Samara has spearheaded the transformation of Tema Port into a modern maritime hub. Under his leadership, MPS Terminal 3 has emerged as one of the most advanced container terminals in Sub-Saharan Africa, operating under a strategic concession agreement with the GPHA. His stewardship has unified multidisciplinary teams across Finance, Legal, Safety, HR, IT, Operations, Engineering, and Commercial functions to deliver world-class port services.

Mr. Samara’s visionary contributions also include leading the feasibility studies and project financing that enabled the successful execution of the Tema Port Expansion Project, now a critical trade gateway for West Africa.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Samara reflected on his journey and the enduring mission to transform Ghana’s maritime sector:

“This honour is not mine alone. It is a testament to the shared vision, commitment, and resilience of all those who have walked this journey with me.

From my earliest days in the logistics industry to the transformative work at MPS, our collective purpose has remained clear: to build infrastructure that facilitates trade, uplifts communities, and propels Ghana and the African continent forward.

I take particular pride in knowing that our contributions at Tema Port align with the visionary aspirations of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and are being elevated under the leadership of H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, whose commitment to industrialisation is positioning Ghana as a beacon of progress.”

Celebrating Africa’s Finest

The Regal celebration of the Millennium Excellence Foundation marking the Asantehene’s silver jubilee, held from 8th to 10th May, convened distinguished leaders and dignitaries from across Africa and the diaspora. The event, held every five years, celebrates individuals whose work has made a significant and lasting impact on their communities, nations, and the continent at large.

The Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize is one of the highest accolades awarded by the Millennium Excellence Foundation, honouring a legacy of service, excellence, and visionary leadership.

About Mr. Mohamed Samara

Before assuming the role of CEO at MPS, Mr. Samara served in several key leadership positions, including Managing Director of the Ghana subsidiary of O.T. Africa Line, the Antrak Group (now part of Africa Global Logistics), Managing Director of Tema Container Terminal Ltd, and Vice President of the Ship Owners and Agents Association.

With a reputation for strategic foresight, project execution, and stakeholder engagement, Mr. Samara continues to play a defining role in shaping West Africa’s port and logistics landscape.

The CEO of MPS is widely regarded as a pioneer in maritime infrastructure development in West Africa. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Tema and its environs, the Tema Traditional Council honoured Mr. Samara with the stool title Tema Noya Mantse, Nii Adjei Kwabla I, meaning “Chief (or King) of Development” in the Ga language.