Civic Education Club: Wa Senior High Students Explore the Tema Port and Harbour

“The Tema Port and Harbour has four main outlets – the Central Gate, Western Gate, Eastern Gate, and the Clinker Gate”. This was revealed when members of the Wa Senior High chapter of NCCE’s Civic Education Club (CEC) embarked on an educational trip to the Tema Port and Harbour in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

The expedition team was warmly received by the Marketing and Public Affairs Department of the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA), where one of its officers, Mr. Kwabena Micah, was assigned as the tour guide. He expressed his admiration for their quest to dig into the operations of the biggest port in West Africa, and commended the NCCE for facilitating the excursion.

The first stop was made at the marine area, where Mr. Micah enlightened the students on some terminologies adopted at the port and harbour. “Here, a ship is known as a vessel, and the goods and containers are referred to as cargo”, he mentioned. He further disclosed that the Tema Port and Harbour remains one of the achievements of Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who saw to its establishment in 1962.

The tour guide also elucidated the four main undertakings at the port, including vessel handling, shore handling, stevedoring, and conservancy handling, adding that each vessel always has aboard four main groups of people who provide essential services thereon. “Every vessel has a captain, a medical officer, a chef, and an engineer”, he highlighted.

In a post-tour interaction with the club members, they described the experience as insightful and refreshing, expressing immense appreciation for the opportunity. They thanked the Commission for the Civic Education Club initiative, indicating that they are returning with deep insights to share with their colleagues, while encouraging them to join the CEC.