Tema Meridian Monument
Marking the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) within Ghana's busy Tema Port, this monument is a unique geographical point, though access is highly restric...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Tema Meridian Monument
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Marking the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) within Ghana's busy Tema Port, this monument is a unique geographical point, though access is highly restricted.
"A waste of time and effort; be warned, don't go unless you have special permission!"
🚫 Access is Difficult
The monument is inside a restricted port area. Special permission is needed, so don't expect to just walk up and see it.
🗺️ Local Guide Recommended
Many visitors struggle to find the monument due to ongoing construction and port operations. A local guide can be invaluable.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Prime Meridian Marker
Inside Tema Port Container Yard
The point where longitude zero degrees (0, 00.000) once stood, now within a restricted port area.
Significance to Navigation
Tema Port
An evocative monument to the invisible line crucial for global shipping and navigation.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Access is Restricted
Not a Traditional Tourist Spot
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚫 Access is Difficult
The monument is inside a restricted port area. Special permission is needed, so don't expect to just walk up and see it.
🗺️ Local Guide Recommended
Many visitors struggle to find the monument due to ongoing construction and port operations. A local guide can be invaluable.
⏳ Not a Tourist Attraction
This is a working port, not a tourist site. Staff may be bemused by your visit.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚫 Access is Difficult
The monument is inside a restricted port area. Special permission is needed, so don't expect to just walk up and see it.
🗺️ Local Guide Recommended
Many visitors struggle to find the monument due to ongoing construction and port operations. A local guide can be invaluable.
⏳ Not a Tourist Attraction
This is a working port, not a tourist site. Staff may be bemused by your visit.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Tema Meridian Monument is a geographically significant marker but is unfortunately inaccessible to the public due to its location within a busy, restricted port area. While the concept is intriguing, most visitors are unable to see it and report it as a waste of time. Special permission is required, and even then, access is not guaranteed.
"The point once marked longitude zero degrees (0, 00.000) has since been "lost". It existed on the site of a sea-front resort (Ave Maria). The resort was decommissioned to make way for the Tema port expansion programme, terminal 3.
The new harbour basin was created on a 3 Km long beach directly on the Atlantic Ocean and right on the Meridian Timeline. Building into the sea, from the beach, the breakwater root goes 1,550m into the ocean with a 2 Km long arm extending eastwards from the root of the breakwater parallel to the quay wall. The 3,558 m long breakwater is harbouring a vast 450 Hectares (1,110 Acres) of maritime waterfront.
The new harbour basin is accessible through a 3,500 m long by 225 m wide Entrance Channel into a turning basin/circle of 500m diameter. The Access Channel has been dredged to -18.7m, Turning Basin to -17.4m and -16.9m by the quay wall to accommodate 16m draft vessels to dock alongside all berths."
Kwame Erzuah
"This is not a tourist attraction and the people working at the port were bemused by the suggestion that it was. No one knew where to find it and what it was. Much time was wasted circling the port for this illusive phenomenon only to be finally told that there is a rock to mark the line but you need special permission. What a waste of time. Lesson learnt. Be warned. Don’t go!"
ultimatekidder
"This monument is not open to the public.
The marker is to the Southern most point on land in the Northern hemisphere of the Prime Meridian (zero degrees longitude): the next point at which the line hits land is in Antartica in the Southern Hemisphere. It is also the closest point of the Prime Meridian on land to the Equator (zero degrees lattitude).
It is as depicted in the photos provided in Frank Kontor's review but it is located inside a busy container yard currenty operated by Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and inaccessable as a result.
Despite the inscription on the plaque this marker should not be confused with the Meridian Rock which used to be a short distance out at sea around 1.5 km West from the actual line of the Prime Meridian but which has since been consumed by Terminal 3, Tema. The location of that rock is now under the new container yard.
A one star review as it is inaccessable. If you are lucky enough to get to see it the experience is a 5 star one. It is quite an evocative monument to an invisible line with much significance for shipping."
Sussex Mountainbiker
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The monument is located within the Tema Port container yard. Access is highly restricted and requires special permission from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. Many visitors report difficulty finding it and being turned away due to ongoing port operations and construction. +1
No, finding the monument is very difficult. It's situated inside a busy container yard with significant ongoing construction. Visitors often waste time searching for it without success. +1
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
You do not need traditional tickets as it's not a public attraction. However, you will need special permission to enter the restricted port area where the monument is located.
The monument itself does not have set opening hours as it is within a restricted port. Access is dependent on obtaining special permission and port operational schedules.
Unfortunately, no. The monument is inside a busy, restricted container yard. You will likely be denied entry without prior special permission.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can expect to see a marker or plaque indicating the Prime Meridian line. However, it's situated within a functional container yard, so the surroundings are industrial rather than scenic.
The original point has been lost due to port expansion. The current marker is within the new port infrastructure, and the exact original location is now submerged or part of the new terminal.
It marks the Prime Meridian (zero degrees longitude), a fundamental line for global navigation and timekeeping. It's also noted as the closest point of the Prime Meridian on land to the Equator.
No, there are no visitor facilities. The monument is located within a working port and container yard, which is not designed for tourism.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography within the port area may be restricted or require special permission. It's best to check with port authorities if you are granted access.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
Adventurous Travelers
If you manage to gain access, the experience of standing on the Prime Meridian line, even within a container yard, can be quite evocative. It offers a different perspective on global connectivity and the invisible lines that shape our world. Documenting this unusual journey might be more rewarding than the destination itself.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Understanding the Prime Meridian
Historically, the point was located at a sea-front resort. However, with the expansion of the Tema port, specifically Terminal 3, the original site and a nearby 'Meridian Rock' were consumed by the new harbor basin and container yard. The current marker, though significant, is now situated within this industrial port environment, making its accessibility a major challenge for visitors.
Navigating Port Access
Many travelers have reported being unable to access the monument, with port workers often being unaware of its exact location or unable to grant entry. The ongoing port expansion programmes and construction further complicate access. If you are determined to visit, it is strongly advised to contact the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority well in advance to inquire about obtaining special permission. A local guide familiar with port operations might also be able to assist, though success is not guaranteed.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit