GHANA PORTS AND HARBOURS AUTHORITY

MECHANCAL SECTION –TAKORADI PORT

TO: PORT PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION MANGER, TAKORADI
INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT
BY
NAME
FROM
28TH MAY TO 4TH AUGUST, 2018
 CHAPTER ONE

ACKNOWLEGEMENTS
I believe that God has been good to me up to this far. To him be the
glory, I am therefore grateful to God for giving me the strength and
wisdom to come up with this report.
I am grateful to managements of GHANA PORTS AND HARBOURS
AUTHORITY (G.P.H.A.) for giving me such an incredible opportunity to
have my industrial attachment with their esteem company. My
profound appreciation
 INTRODUCTION
As part of educational reform programmes, the polytechnics were
upgraded to tertiary level as to provide training for middle man power
to the challenges of today’s market or employments demands.
In tune of the policy above, the award of the Higher National Diploma
(HND)
Certificate demands students to undergo an industrial attachment to
enable them have a practical feel of what has been taught and what is
yet to be taught in order to abreast themselves in their fields of study.
In accordance with the above, I undertook my practical training
attachment at
Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (G.P.H.A.), Takoradi.
 PURPOSE OF ATTACHMENT
The main objective of this industrial attachment is to provide an
opportunity for students to acquire the ability and skills to basic
knowledge and techniques to realization of corporate objectives and
a better understanding of the engineering world.
 The industrial attachment is to help HND graduate to fit into the
engineering world.
 HND graduates will find it easier to face problems met on the
field due to the industrial attachment.
 Industrial attachment will help the trainee when employed.
 HND graduates learn about the norms and values governing the
various companies.
 Industrial attachment will serve as an open ground for easy
employment for the trainee especially when the trainee was
dedicated during the service.
 Industrial attachment serves as a ground for helping trainees
acquire the self-concept. Precisely accepting him/her as he/she
fits to the society.
 BENEFITS OF THE ATTACHMENT

Industrial attachment as a whole has got so many vital things to

trainees which definitely serve as benefit to the trainee. This
benefit includes the following;
 The industrial attachment has helped me acquire knowledge
about the nature of work done at my department.
 It has enabled me to work efficiently.
 It has enabled to know what the engineering world entails.
 It can also create job opportunity for me when the authorities
realized I worked to their satisfaction.
 It has also helped in broadening my mind on the course am
studying and what I have learnt relating to my department.
 It has also helped me familiarize myself with the nature of work
done so that when I acquire a job, there wouldn’t be any
difficulty.
 Lastly, it has enabled me to know the practical aspect of
whatever I am learning at school. I have learnt the practical
aspect of all the theories I studied. It has also made it clarified
and understandable.
 THE ORGANISATION – GHANA PORTS AND HARBOURS
AUTHORITY (TAKORADI)

Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority has two main branches thus
Takoradi and Tema. However, I had my industrial attachment at the
Takoradi branch. Its brief history, vision/mission statement,
department and major activities or concern are started below.

BRIEF HISTORY
The Takoradi harbour is in the western region of Ghana. It is the oldest
harbour in Ghana. The harbour and Tema harbour are the only
harbours in Ghana. The idea of the construction of the port was first
advocated in 1895 by consulting engineers of the British government.
The engineers proposed that the harbour when constructed can serve
both as terminal work for Tarkwa railway project and naval port to
serve the British empire in war times. The site of the harbour was
proposed at the Amanful village which sat in the bay of the harbour
today. The construction of the port begun in 1921 by the governor of
Gold Coast, Sir Gordon Guggisberg and was completed in1928.
The construction of the Takoradi ports was commenced in 1923 and it
was completed and officially opened on the 3rd of April 1928 by right
Honourable J.H. Thomas P.C. LLS and M.P. secretary of the state for
the colonies. Operations started on 3rd of December 1928. The ports
were constructed as the base of many operation and trade. From 1949
congestion began due economic development and expansions of
industries. The extension of the port started in 1951 by Tarloy
Woodrow Engineering Company in 1956.
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority came into existence in 1986
as a statutory public co-operation with encashment from Ghana Ports
and Harbours Authority law of 1986 P.N.D.C.L 160.
Currently the authorities are administered by a nine member broad of
directors appointed by the government and include a chairman, The
Director-General of the Authority owns and operates two commercial
ports located at Takoradi and Tema, both of which are designed for
exports and imports and are capable of handling about thirty million
tons of cargo annually.
The Takoradi harbour is 230 kilometres from Accra, the capital of
Ghana. The port receives and exports high volume of cargo. The
management of the harbour is responsibility of Ghana Ports and
Harbours Authority the harbour serves as the main export for Ghana.
It handles 65% of total export with about 600 vessels visiting it. The
main exports from the harbour are;
 Cocoa
 Timber
 Bauxite
 Manganese

The harbour also serves the international trade purpose of land locked
countries in the Sahel region of Africa. Some of the countries are Mali,
Burkina Faso and Niger. The harbour transits large volume of cargo for
these countries.
The harbour handles 37% Ghana’s sea bourn traffic and 62% of
national exports. It receives 20% all the imports that the country
receives.
In July 2004it was announced that a 250-million-dollar modernization
project which was to upgrade the harbour was to begin. The project
included the dredging of the Wharf and construction of container
berths to increase the volume of cargo the harbour could handle. The
authority also constructed a 14-metre high wall around the port. The
wall was to improve security and prevent the incidence of stowaways.
Again, in July 2009 the authority announced a 700-million-dollar
project to rehabilitate and upgrade the harbour. This was to make the
harbour ready for the country’s new oil and gas industry. The project
was to include the reclamation and redevelopment of the old log pond
into an oil services facility. The oil service facility was to support the
country’s offshore oil production. Other works that were to be
included in the project were;
 Dredging
 Paving works in the harbour
 The construction of quay walls of 500
metres
 Construction of cocoa shed outside the
harbour premises
 Construction of an oil berth of depth
650 metres

With the inner and outer fishing harbour, the port now has the
capacity of accommodating smaller and bigger vessels.
 VISION
The vision of G.P.H.A. is to become a maritime hub. To be most
efficient one stop service center of ECOWAS sub- region and Africa
and indeed a reliable maritime gateway for the West-African in goods
is transported by sea. To be the central objective and growth of
Ghana’s foreign trade and promotion of Ghana as the preferred
transport and trade corridor of the sub-region.

MISSION
 GPHA provide efficient port facilities and ensure quality service
to customers
 GPHA’S pricing policy seeks the mutual benefits of the authority,
operators and customers as GPHA keeps them to keep GPHA in
business.
 GPHA recognizes its workforce as the greatest asset and key to
success in her pursuit to be the gateway to the West African sub
region
 GPHA employs appropriate technology and contributes towards
a clean, healthy and safe marine environment.
 SECTIONS/UNITS/DEPARTMENT
The GPHA in order to discharge its duties effectively currently
has twelve (12) department under which all other units and
sections operate. The department are;
1. Personnel/ Administrative Department
2. Finance Department
3. Internal Audit Department
4. Engineering Department
5. Safety and Security Department
6. Medical Department
7. Port Operations Department
8. Marketing Department
9. Fishing Harbour Department
10. Material Department
11. Maintenance Plant Control Division(M.P.C.D.)

PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT

This department is responsible for recruiting and training staff as

well as admitting and relieving attachment and national service
person. They also seek the welfare of all staff. This department
has two major sections
 Training and transport
 Public relation office section
 FINANCE DEPARTMENT
This department consist of the revenue, expenditure and cost
management. They are responsible for giving account of all revenue
and expenditure on materials, services and other administrative cost.

INTERNAL AUDIT DEPARTMENT

This is a department on its own which inspects or examines all
financial records to see if it conforms to what is on records.

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
This department consist of mechanical, civil and electrical. They are
responsible for all the plant machinery vehicles electrical installation
works and construction of road in the port.

SAFETY AND SECURITY DEPARTMENT

This department protects the port from unauthorized people,
smugglers and thieves. They keep the harbour safe and in good
condition. They are also responsible for quenching of any outbreaks
of fire.

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT
This department is responsible for the health condition of all its
employees and the communities.
 PORT OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
This department has only one section. That is fire service and it is also
responsible for the sanitation in the organization.

MARKETING DEPARTMENT
The marketing department turns to convince people about the port
especially to investors and importers for them to use the ports and
harbours.

MATERIAL DEPARTMENT
This department has two divisions namely purchasing and stores.
Purchasing unit is responsible for procuring all goods and services
needed by the organization. Stores are responsible for receipts and
issuing of stocked items.

MAINTENANCE PLANT CONTROL DIVISION

This is where every department its mains saver in GPHA, ICT
equipment is kept. Whenever there is a problem with the computer’s
mains saver it can be restored over there. The management
information system (M.I.S.) is under this department.
 MARINE OPERATIONS
Marine is responsible for the brought in and out in the port. They also
supply water to the needy ships. This section uses to be individual
department and its now emerged.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES/CONCERNS
The law establishing of GPHA enjoins the authority to plan develops
manage, operate and control the ports in Ghana. GPHA also handles
imports and exports to and from the country.
Aside these, GPHA also have the following activities to carry out;
 Providing and maintaining facilities necessary for the efficient
and proper operations of the port
 Carrying out all the business of stevedoring, pilotage and
lighter age services.
 Regulating the use of the ports and their facilities.
 Discharging generally any other functions which are necessary
or incidental to the above.
 CHAPTER TWO DESCPRITION OF THE NATURE OF
WORKDONE
The mechanical Engineering department of GPHA which is mainly
responsible for maintaining, repairing and ensuring the availability of
machines and vehicles as well as other equipment of GPHA has been
divided into six sections.
These sections are;
 Vulcanizing section
 Welding section
 Electrical section
 Vehicle section
  Plant section
 Fishing harbour

VULCANIZING SECTION
This section of mechanical department is responsible for
maintaining, balancing, aligning, fixing and inflation of the road
wheels used by the vehicle, forklift, reach stackers and other
moving machines in GPHA.
ELECTRICAL SECTION
Workers of this section seem to work with all the sections of the
Mechanical engineering department. This is because all the
electrical problems of the machines, vehicles, and other equipment
maintained and repaired in the mechanical department are all
taken care of by this section. The electrical section of the
mechanical department also maintains and charge all the lead acid
batteries used by GPHA.
VEHICLE SECTION
This section carries out maintenance and repair works on vehicles
used by GPHA. It also ensures that all the vehicles are available for
use by other departments

PLANT SECTION
The Plant section of GPHA is responsible for maintaining and
repairing all the machine, forklift, trailers and trailer heads,
excavators, reach stackers, cranes and other equipment used by
GPHA in its operations.
 DETAILED ACCOUNT OF TRAINING /WORK PERFORMED
The official commencement date for the 2017/2018 academic year
industrial attachment was 28th May 2018. Fortunately, I was
accepted at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to start the
training on 17th August 2020 due to some factors. As stated earlier,
the mechanical department at GPHA has been divided into
sections, namely;
 Vulcanizing section
 Welding section
 Electrical section
 Vehicle section
  Plant section
 Fishing harbour

Having arrived at the Mechanical Engineering Department, the Chief

Engineer prepared a schedule for me to follow during the training. Due
to the length of duration for the training, I was sent to plant section,
even though their other sections, include Vulcanizing, Welding, Auto
electrical, and Vehicle respectively.
VEHICLE SECTION
The vehicle at the mechanical engineering department is responsible
for maintaining and repairing of all the vehicles GPHA owns. The
vehicle we worked on at this section include;
 Nissan civilian bus
 Toyota pickup
 Toyota mini-bus
 Defender land rover
 Mitsubishi long and mini-buses
 Toyota saloon
When a vehicle was due for maintenance, either preventive or
corrective maintenance was carried out.

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
It is the periodic maintenance design to retain the heathy condition of
the vehicle and prevent failure through periodic inspection.
Anytime a preventive maintenance was performed on a vehicle, the
following inspection or work were carried out;

 ENGINE INSPECTION
1. Checked condition of the engine seat and replaced if necessary
2. Inspected and adjusted drive belt if necessary
3. Replaced fuel filter, oil filter and engine oil
4. Checked condition of the radiator and topped up with water it
necessary
5. Checked the performance of injection pump and condition of
injection pipes

 BRAKE SYSTEM
1. Checked condition of the brake hoses and the brake nipples
2. Checked the brake linings/pads for wear and replaced if
necessary
3. Checked conditions of the master and wheels cylinders
4. Brake adjustment was performed if necessary

 SUSPENSION SYSTEM
1. Checked condition of defective telescope and replaced them
2. Checked for lower suspension arm (wishbone) damage and
replaced them
3. Checked for distorted tension bar

 STEERING SYSTEM
1. Checked condition of steering gearbox and its mounting
2. Checked steering system linkage for wear or slackness and
tightened.
3. Checked condition of power steering motor. Topped up with
A.T.F if necessary
 VULCANIZING SECTION

 WHEELS AND TYRES

1. Checked condition of tyre wear and replace if necessary
2. Comparing radial-ply and cross-ply tyres when mounting
3. Checking the speed rating of the according to the manufacturing
manual before mounting
4. Checking the load index of a tyre before mounting
5. Checking of the inflation pressure of a tyre if necessary
6. Checking wheel balancing and alignment if necessary
7. Checking the aquaplaning of a tyre if necessary

ELECTRICAL SECTION
This section work hand in hand with all the sections in the mechanical
engineering department, since all the electrical problems of the
machines vehicle and other equipment are taken care of by this
section. Whiles I was at this section. I had the opportunity to see and
also use some of the electrical instrument that through I had heard of
but had not had the opportunity to use. These instrument include;
 Multi meter
 Testing lamp
 High rate discharge tester
 Hydrometer
 Lead acid battery charging machine
PLANT SECTION
The machines which the plant section of the mechanical department
maintains and repairs includes;
 Forklift
 Cranes
 Reach stackers
 Teletruck
 Trailers and Trailer heads (Mafi)
When a machine was due for maintenance, one of the following
maintenance was carried out;
 Preventive maintenance / predictive maintenance
 Corrective maintenance
 Lubrication maintenance
 Breakdown maintenance

 CHAPTER THREE CHALLEGES, NEW KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS

OR EXPERIENCE AQUIRED AND HOW THEY WOULD ENHACE
YOUR STUDIES

NEW KNOWLEDGE
I can now say that; I have now learnt a lot in terms of practical on the
field. In fact, the industrial attachment is very good. I can now identify
most of the tools at the department. For example: various spanners,
ratchet, breaker bar, hydraulic horst, set of pliers, various socket, sway
bevel and sizes of bolts and nuts. Now, I will be able to identify some
problem of the various section and tackle them.
 SKILLS OR EXPERIENCED ACQUIRED AND THEY WOULD ENHANCE
MY STUDIES
I have also learnt some techniques in tackling a problem and I can cope
with the working hours. I also learnt some safety precautions at the
department. The rate at which I used to work previously is now better

CHALLENGES
Being my first time at the practical field, I found it difficult to cope with
the long working hours, I also encountered the problem of Identifying
tools at the department. I also worked slowly at the initial stage.
This will enhance my studies because I have learnt fundament of my
program. It has also given confidence when I am working on a
machine.

GENERAL COMMENTS, OBSERVATIONS OR IMPRESSION

AND CONCLUSION
Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority should make more room for
attachment students. Again I wish to also comment on the difficulties
we go through during the attachment period. I will like to congratulate
the authorities of GPHA on the grounds of interpersonal relationship
that exist among the staff and how they were ready to work with
morale and safety cautions.
 OBSERVATION OR IMPRESSION
Observation were made on different perspectives;
 Good intrapersonal and interpersonal relationship among staff
and has the cooperate mission at heart
 The effectiveness of their good housekeeping practices which is
highly recommendable
 Users’ needs which be met by purchasing section are not
properly planed due to that increase the workload at the section
 One recommendable activity is the safety meetings which the
staffs regularly attend
 Computer is used for operations. Proper documentation and
effective record keeping at the computer room section.

RECOMMENDATION
I recommended that, once that has taken upon himself to aid
students, he should complete it by providing overalls, safety boots and
helmet and other safety gadgets with the trainees especially the
engineering students. I would also like to say that allowances should
be given to trainees to help motivate them to work effectively

STUDENTS CONTRIBUTION TO THE ORGANIZATION

My industrial attachment at GPHA Takoradi indeed added a great
value to the company. I can proudly talk of the following;
  I helped in organizing a clean-up exercise which was carried out
by the entire attachment students at the mechanical workshop
of GPHA
 I carried out General Maintenance on some vehicles and
machines whenever the supervisor I was working with a work I
had been assigned
 I assisted my supervisors to go about their normal duties. Minor
works which were supposed to be done by my supervisors like
blowing of air filters, lubrication, greasing, loosing of wheels,
loosing of some bolts and nuts were done by me. Apart from
these, I was also instructed and assisted to do other works which
I think released some stress on the workers

CONCLUSION
As an attachment trainee in engineering unit of GPHA was not easy. It
took time to cope with procedures in the unit because that was my
exposure to working environment. The training was really great and
successful. Meeting and working together with people like parents
and relating to them as course mates, working under intense pressure
was tough
I would again wish to conclude that the industrial attachment
instituted by the university authorities is a good thing and wish to
express that it should be enforced strictly for every student to
undertake it, as it serves as a performing stage for students and create
their awareness of their field of study