TAKORADI TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

REPORT ON INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT

AT

GHANA HABOURS AND PORTS AUTHORITY

(CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT)

TAKORADI

FROM

19th August, 2024 to 4th October, 2024

BY

OFFOE JOSEPH

B-TECH CIVIL ENGINEERING

BC/CVE/22/013

0531769372

1
Contents
1.0 CHAPTER ONE................................................................................................................................5
1.01 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................5
1.1 OBJECTIVES OF INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT.......................................................................................5
1.2 BACKGROUND OF GHANA PORTS AND HARBOUR AUTHORITY.........................................................6
1.2.1 BRIEF HISTORY ON GHANA PORTS AND HARBORS AUTHORITY, TAKORADI...................................7
1.2.2 VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS, AND CORE VALUES OF GHANA PORTS AND HARBORS
AUTHORITY........................................................................................................................................12
CORE VALUES.....................................................................................................................................12
1.2.3. DEPARTMENTS OF THE ORGANIZATION..................................................................................13
2.0 CHAPTER TWO..............................................................................................................................14
2.1 DESCRIPTION AND NATURE OF WORK (DEPARTMENTAL POST)......................................................14
2.1.1 FUNCTIONS AND SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT....................................................16
3.0 CHAPTER THREE...........................................................................................................................17
3.1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF WORK PERFORMED.............................................................................17
4.0 CHAPTRER FOUR...........................................................................................................................24
4.1 CONTRIBUTIONS TO ORGANISATION..............................................................................................24
4.2 CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED AS AN INTERN...................................................................................24
4.21 SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE ACQUIRED.............................................................................................24
5.0 CHAPTER FIVE...............................................................................................................................25
5.1 OBSERVATION DURING THE ATTACHMENT PERIOD........................................................................25
Positive things seen at workplace:.........................................................................................................25
5.2 IMPRESSION.....................................................................................................................................25
5.21 CONCLUSION.................................................................................................................................25
5.22 RECOMMENDATIONS TO TAKORADI TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY.......................................................26
5.23 RECOMMENDATIONS TO GHPA.....................................................................................................26

2
 ABSTRACT

The report below is an outlined and detailed summary of the scheduled departmental training of
the industrial based attachment training for two months from the 19th August to 4th October
2024. This industrial attachment training was exercised with much diligence, competency and
supervision both the parts of the industry-based supervisors and me as a student. The report first
outlines the introduction of the industrial attachment training, statements (vision and mission
statements, organizations about departments and structure) of Ghana Ports and Harbours
Authorities (GPHA) which was my industrial attachment training-based firm. Their highly
endowed supervisors and the description of work and its patterns at the schedule departments or
sections and training acquired are addressed in the following. This report also entails the skills
acquired, recommendations and conclusion of the industrial attachment undergone and its
significance to my learning process at the esteemed organization and its affiliation to the
program offered.

3
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I firstly thank God for his guidance, protection and wisdom he bestowed upon me to carry out
this training. Finally, I am highly indebted to the Management of the Ghana Ports and Harbours
Authorities (GPHA) for their acceptance and support. My thanks also goes to the Human
Resource manager for accepting me and to everyone for their warm reception.

I am also deeply grateful for the invaluable support extended to me by my industrial-based

supervisors and the entire staff of the port of Takoradi, within the Ghana Ports and Harbours
Authority (GPHA).

4
1.0 CHAPTER ONE
1.01 INTRODUCTION
The industrial attachment is an essential component of the curriculum of Takoradi Technical
University which is partial fulfillment of the requirements of the award of Higher National
Diploma and Bachelor in technology in Civil Engineering. Students are required to undergo an
industrial attachment programme during which the student are expected to acquire additional
practical experience to supplement their programme of study in Takoradi Technical University.

They are also exposed to the real world of work and its challenges which will prepare them
towards their future careers. It is a supervised programme since the lecturers from Takoradi
Technical University visit the students during this period and at the end of the programme to
ascertain the success of the programme and the amount of seriousness students attached to it.

This report is the outcome of the practical training I had at the Ghana Ports and Harbours
Authorities (GPHA).

1.1 OBJECTIVES OF INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT

• To acquire skills and experience needed to become a competent construction engineer

and worker.
• To assess the interest of the student in the occupation he/she plans to undertake.
• To gain good inter-personal relationship with associates and industry-based supervisors.
• To expose the students to work methods not taught in the University and to provide
access to products and equipment not normally available in the environment of the university.
• To instill right work ethics as well as acquire professionalism.
• To make the transition from school to the world of work smoothly and to enhance student
contacts for job placement.

5
1.2 BACKGROUND OF GHANA PORTS AND HARBOUR AUTHORITY

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) is the national port authority of Ghana.

Between the 16th and 18th centuries foreign trade in the then Gold Coast was undertaken from

about 40 landing points scattered around the Gold Coast. By the 1900s, these had converged to

six main ports of trade.

From 1920 to the 1940s, the transport witnessed its first revolution in the road and rail network

which culminated in the construction of the Takoradi Port. Further road expansion and shifts in

the direction of trade in the post-independence era, led to the construction of Ghana's second port

which is the Tema Port or Port of Tema and then the Fishing Harbour at Tema. GPHA’s main

operation zones are in Sekondi-Takoradi and Tema.

1.2.1 BRIEF HISTORY ON GHANA PORTS AND HARBORS AUTHORITY,

TAKORADI.

6
Figure 1.1

THE EARLY YEARS

Before the advent of the Port of Takoradi, there were sufferance ports sited at Cape Coast, Accra,

Keta, Sekondi and Axim. Ships calling at these ports were anchored off shore and their cargoes

transferred by means of lighters and surf boats.Owing to the dangerous surfing, the sufferance

ports were found to be unsuitable and also inadequate to cope with the fast-expanding trade of

the country. By 1919 it had become clear that the low capacity sailing ships with low draft could

no longer cope with the heavy evacuation of Cocoa from the hinterland to the Ports of Accra,

Winneba, Sekondi and Cape Coast. This necessitated the decision to build a deep-sea harbor

capable of accommodating high capacity iron ships then emerging from shipyards in Europe.

All the existing sufferance Ports were considered for the construction of the deep-water Harbor.

From December 1919 to June 1920, hydrographic surveys were initiated by the then Governor,

Sir Gordon Guggisberg and Takoradi was chosen as the suitable site. From 22nd February to

20th April 1921, a committee was appointed to consider and report on the selection of a site for

the deep-sea harbor of the country. The committee submitted its report to the Consulting

Engineers Messrs.’ Coode Matthews Pitts – Maurice and Wilson, who agreed that Takoradi was

unquestionably the most suitable site for the deep-sea Harbor.

Despite pressures from England for the then Governor Sir Gordon Guggisberg to cut down on

his Ten-Year Development Plan stretching from 1919 to 1928 because of trade recession after

the first world war, he retained the construction of the Port with two other projects in his

development plan, namely: 4800 km motor roads construction and the Kumasi/Accra railway

7
line. The funds for the three projects totaling about £12million were generated locally and

farmers contributed a great deal of it.

Figure 1.2

REHABILITATION

By 1983, the facilities at Takoradi Port had deteriorated as a result of lack of maintenance to the

extent that its capacity was severely affected. Cargo handling equipment had become obsolete

with most of them broken down, some of the berths were occupied by wrecks, which made the

Ports unsafe for ship navigation.

8
 On 26th June 1986, under the Economic Recovery program, the Ghana Ports Authority, Ghana

Cargo Handling Company and Takoradi Lighterage Company were merged into one corporate

body, The Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority.

In 1986, the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority with the support of the Government of Ghana

embarked on major rehabilitation of the Takoradi Port. The first phase of the rehabilitation

project of Takoradi Port which cost US $35million was funded by the International Development

Fund of the World Bank, the Overseas Economic Co-operation Fund of Japan and a grant from

the Economic Development Fund of the European Union.

The Project included:

 The repair and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure and facilities

 Removal of sunken vessels and other wrecks from the harbor basin

 Supply of equipment including floating crafts, cargo handling equipment and vehicles.

 Institutional strengthening which involved capacity building of Management and training.

Following the successful implementation of the 1st phase, the then Government negotiated with

the EU for additional grant of ¢5.5 billion, out of which the GPHA contributed 20% to complete

the 1st phase of the rehabilitation of the Port of Takoradi.

Projects under the 2nd phase begun in 1991 and included the following:

 Dredging of the Port to the designed depths

 Rehabilitation of berths 2 and 3 for general cargo

 Completion of the rehabilitation of the West Lighter Wharf for Cocoa and Sawn timber

9
  Rehabilitation of the Sawn Timber No 2.

 Pavement of adjacent areas

THE FUTURE

Figure 1.8

10
In March 2019, the Government of Ghana approved the downstream petroleum framework and

an Executive Instrument has been issued and signed by the President of the Republic, declaring

the stretch of land from the current Port to the Naval Base in Sekondi as a Port Zone.

The plan is to reclaim the 10km stretch of land for commercial and industrial activities.

1.2.2 VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS, AND CORE VALUES OF

GHANA PORTS AND HARBORS AUTHORITY

VISION STATEMENT
To be a world-class port, the dominant oil and gas services hub of West Africa.

MISSION STATEMENT
To provide efficient services to our customers in an environmentally sustainable way to stimulate
growth in the economy and sub-region.

CORE VALUES

 Commitment to Employees: we recognize our employees as our greatest assets and key to

success

 Customer satisfaction: we deliver efficient friendly and best value services that delight our

customers.

 Technology: we employ modern technology and innovations to improve performance and

contribute towards a clean and healthy environment.

 Integrity: we offer services with integrity and are guided by the interest of our stakeholders

in all our business dealings.

11
 Team work: we value the spirit of mutual trust, co-operation and harmony in the provision

of services to Port users.

 Social Responsibility: we share a deep sense of responsibility for the development of our

industry, our community and our country.

1.2.3. DEPARTMENTS OF THE ORGANIZATION

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority Takoradi has sixteen departments.

These departments are:

 Civil Engineering Department

 Electrical Engineering Department

 Marine Engineering and Marine Operations Departments

 Mechanical Engineering Department

 Materials Department

 Transport Department

 Estate Department

 Finance Department

 Human Resource Department

 Audit Department

 Security Department

 Fire and Safety Department

 Health Services Department

 Port Operations Department

 Marketing Department

12
  IT Service Department.

2.0 CHAPTER TWO

2.1 DESCRIPTION AND NATURE OF WORK (DEPARTMENTAL POST)

Prior to my programme of study which is Construction Technology and management, I was

attached to the Civil Engineering Department during my industrial attachment at Ghana Ports

and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Takoradi.

The Civil Engineering Department is the department responsible for the construction,

management, supervision and maintenance of new and existing infrastructures that are allocated

for the port either in the port or elsewhere.

The mission statement of the civil engineering department is to efficiently develop and maintain

the port’s infrastructure by employing up-to-date technology and highly skilled personnel and the

vision statement is to be a benchmark in the development of maintenance of port infrastructure.

This department has four sections,

 Planning Section

 Quantity Surveying Section

 Project Section

 Maintenance Section

QUANTITY SURVEYING SECTION

13
This section is responsible for drawing the budget for a project, all costs that may involve in a

project and contractual dealings of construction projects. They also ensure a project is well

executed within the estimated budget.

PROJECT SECTION

This section is responsible for planning, organizing and directing the completion of specific

projects for the organization while ensuring these projects are on time, on budget and within

scope. They are also responsible for the production of working drawings for proposed projects.

MAINTENANCE SECTION

They are responsible for the maintenance of Ports infrastructures. Under the maintenance

section, there are four zones and each has a supervisor and also have four workshop. The zones

and workshop are:

• Main Harbour (Port infrastructures within the shipyard)

• Bungalows and Port Hospital

• All light housing and Executive guest house

• Staff Quarters and club houses.

PLANNING SECTION

14
This section is responsible for booking and keeping records of all materials used for work by the

Civil Engineering Department. They key items using EPR (Enterprise Resource Planning), do

bookings of Docker Labours and also give out safety wares (PPEs) to the workers.

2.1.1 FUNCTIONS AND SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT

The department undertakes many functions and activities, prominent among which are the

following:

 Carry out regular inspection of port infrastructure i.e. wharves, bollards, and lighthouses,

residences, port hospital, and club houses to assess maintenance needs.

 Undertake maintenance of all port infrastructure, residences, port hospital and club houses.

 Undertake designs and construction of new facilities.

 Hire and supervise consultants and contractors.

 Provide professional advice on technical matters relating to civil engineering and

maintenance of civil engineering equipment and systems.

 Provide professional advice on civil engineering works undertaken by other port users.

 Provide support services to other departments in the port.

 Liaise with the appropriate authorities to ensure supply of utilities such as water to the port.

15
3.0 CHAPTER THREE
3.1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF WORK PERFORMED

Week 1: General Orientation and Masonry Section.

 On the first day of the industrial attachment. We had a general orientation at the Port Senior

Club house. Where we were welcomed by the Human resource department of the Port, who

briefed us on the history of the Port and how they operate.

 Day2: We had a General Orientation at the Civil Engineering department at Port. Ing. Daniel

Anor the outgone Takoradi Port Civil engineer briefed us the function of the department and

the various sections under the department.

 Day3: General orientation on the rules and safety protocols that governs the Civil

Department.

 Day4: I was assigned to the Masonry section where I assisted in off-loading of bag of

cements.

 Day5: I assisted in parking of 5 inches blocks at type B21.

16
 Fg1. Parking of 5 inches blocks

Week 2 and 7: Masonry Section

This section was very inspiring and engaging.

Equipment use to accomplish task

 Pick axe, shovel, spirit level, straight edge, trowel, head pan, float, wheel barrow, line
and pins etc.
Procedure in laying of blocks starting from excavation.

 The layout of the foundation was first mark and then the trench was dug with the use of pick

axe.

 After that the base was compacted to accommodate the foundation concrete, which was then

compacted and cured.

 With the aid of line pines the first course was laid, ensuring they are levelled and aligned and

it was then bonded with mortar.

Procedure in casting of reinforcement slab for drain cover.

 The formwork was constructed according to the design specification

 After that 16 mm diameter bars was laid parallel to each other as the main bars, and then

12mm diameter bars was laid across the main bars with the required spacing from the design

guide

 The bars was then tied with binding wire and concrete cubes was the use for the cover to

prevent the rods from exposing and corrosion.

17
 The concrete was then prepared with the mix 2:4:8, after that it was poured into the

formwork, compacted and cured.

Week 3: PLUMBING SECTION

Equipment use to accomplish task

 Fittings: They are used to give join pipes together. Examples reducer, tee, elbow, valve
socket.
 Non-returning valve: This allows the flow of water in only one direction hence disallowing
the back flow of water.
 Target Glue: It fastens a fitting and a pipe together.
 Thread tape: It is entangled around the mouth of the non-returning valve to prevent any
leakage.

18
 Plier
 Hacksaw

During my intern at the plumbing section,

 I assisted in laying of water suppling pipe lines from the mains to the security check point

 I assisted in relocating of water meter from the center to the edge of a compound house.

 I assisted in preventive maintenance o wash hand basin and water closet.

 I assisted in mounting of cold water tank and connection of service line and distribution of

water pipe lines.

 I assisted in the repair of a 4 inch diameter polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipeline.

Week 4: Welding Section

Equipment use to accomplish task

 Grinding and cutting machine: This machine is use to grind and cut metal plate and it uses
electricity.

 Arc welding using a mobile welding plant: Arc Welding is a type of welding process using
an electric arc to create heat to melt and join metals.

19
Components of a Mobile Welding Plant
 High steel electrode: The electrode consists of two parts which are the rod and the coating.
Coating enables the rod to burn faster whiles preventing the emission of smoke dust during
the process of welding by producing slags. The Rod produces welding beads which hardens
to join metal piece together.
 Electrode Holder: It holds and connect electrode to the power from the welding machine.
 Electrode Cable: Supplies electrode holder with power.
 Welding machine: Functions as the power house.
Gas Cutting machine: It is a method of cutting metals by a burning mixture of acetylene gas and
oxygen.
Components of a Gas cutting Setup:

• Acetylene Gas

• Oxygen

• Acetylene hose pipe

• Oxygen hose pipe

• Torch

During my intern at welding section,

 I assisted in gridding of plate for bollard, cutting of steel bars and railway trucks: This
task was accomplish with the aid of the grinding machine and the gas cutter machine

 I assisted in welding of plate to circular hollow section, fabricating of bollard and metal
moulding

20
 Week

5 and 6: Carpentry Section

Equipment use to accomplish task

 Jack plane
 Sand paper

21
  Wood filler
 Cross cutting machine
 Drill
 Goggles

This section was one of the transformative section, in which I assisted in,

 Replacement of mortice door lock and damaged door at senior club House.

 Replacement of damaged badminton floor board and preparation of formwork for

column.

 Plaining and crossing cutting of 4”X2”

 Plaining of 4”X2”and 2”X2”

 Fixing of damaged ceiling

22
4.0 CHAPTRER FOUR
4.1 CONTRIBUTIONS TO ORGANISATION
 I assisted in welding of plate to circular hollow section, fabricating of bollard and metal
moulding

 I assisted in laying of water suppling pipe lines from the mains to the security check point I

assisted in mounting of cold water tank and connection of service line and distribution of

water pipe lines.

 I assisted replacement of damaged badminton floor board and preparation of formwork for

column.

 I assisted plaining and crossing cutting of 4”X2”

4.2 CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED AS AN INTERN

 Buses are not enough
 Shift system introduce affected my duration to learn more
 Delay in supplying of materials when there are shortages.
.

4.21 SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE ACQUIRED

Due to this training, I now know;

• How to excavate foundation trench and cast foundation concrete

• How to replace damaged door lock

• How to construct a column formwork

• How to use grinding and gas cutter to cut metal plate

• How to fix pipes, fittings and valve

• How to use a mobile welding plant to weld

23
5.0 CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 OBSERVATION DURING THE ATTACHMENT PERIOD
Positive things seen at workplace:
 Work starts at 8:00am
 Visitors are supposed to wait at the reception.
 Every worker on site starts work at 8:00 .am
 All safety protocols were observed.
 High security
 Discipline and motivated workers
 Coming to work on time.

5.2 IMPRESSION
I was impressed by:
 The company’s commitment to their customers and the special treatment they give out to
their customer.
 The opportunities for professional growth and development.
 The way they manage multiple tasks and deadlines.

5.21 CONCLUSION
To clinch, I would like to say that my internship has been advantageous one to me and must be
encourage to all tertiary institution in the country and beyond. It has exposed me to the practical
aspect of my course, much of which has not been taught in class therefore making real life
practices and implementation of theoretical lessons a success. The asking of questions made me
understand most of the works which were done and thus also broaden my knowledge practically,
and with encouragement from my supervisor I gained the ability to communication, supervise
and organize at the internship.

24
5.22 RECOMMENDATIONS TO TAKORADI TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
 I encourage the recommend that the University would increase the attachment period from
two months to help student improve practically.

 I recommend also that, the University’s supervisors should visit work related learning
students earlier, during their two weeks just to check the working conditions of the company
and to interact more frequently with workplace supervisors.

5.23 RECOMMENDATIONS TO GHPA

Due to my experience at GHPA, I will encourage student to do their attachment in the company
such that you will encounter the learning skills of the construction and estate.

25
26