Sierra Leone’s Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Princess Dugba, has led a high-level delegation to Ghana to study the development and management of the Tema Port as Sierra Leone advances plans to construct a $55 million fishing industrial port.
The delegation concluded a technical and familiarization tour of the Tema Port facilities on Friday, September 11, 2026, following a courtesy visit to Ghana’s Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe.
Welcoming the Sierra Leonean delegation, Minister Nikpe expressed delight at receiving his counterpart and her team. He said the visit provided an opportunity for both countries to learn from each other, share experiences and adopt good practices and policies.
Minister Nikpe also pledged his ministry’s support to the delegation to ensure a successful outcome of the visit. He emphasized the importance of African countries supporting one another in addressing challenges affecting the continent.
In her remarks, Minister Dugba thanked the Ghanaian authorities for the warm reception and explained that the visit was aimed at learning from Ghana’s experience in port development and management.
She said the delegation’s visit to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) was intended to identify key lessons that could be applied to Sierra Leone’s ongoing fishing port project, as well as explore opportunities for technical cooperation and knowledge sharing.
According to Minister Dugba, Sierra Leone’s $55 million fishing industrial port project is being funded through a grant from the Government of China and is expected to be completed within the next two years.
The project will include a jetty, marine house, waste management facilities and a fish market.
She said the completed port is expected to strengthen Sierra Leone’s blue economy, create employment opportunities and reduce losses in the fisheries sector.
The Sierra Leonean delegation included Deputy Minister of Fisheries Ahmed Saybom Kanu and the Ministry’s Director and Professional Head, Sheku Sei.
Following the courtesy visit, the delegation toured the Tema Port facilities after a meeting involving Ghana’s Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Agare; Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Major General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono; members of the Sierra Leonean delegation; and Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba.
The tour focused on knowledge exchange in areas including port upgrading, cargo management and sustainable fisheries logistics.
The visit forms part of Sierra Leone’s efforts to draw on regional expertise and international partnerships as it works to develop modern fisheries infrastructure and maximize the economic potential of its marine resources.