The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) has warned that persistent delays in the offloading and clearance of bulk and bagged goods at the Tema Port could disrupt food supply chains and increase costs for businesses and consumers.
In a statement released on Monday, December 29, 2025, the association said the prolonged delays are heightening operational pressures on importers and manufacturers, with likely knock-on effects for the pricing and supply of staple commodities, including rice and sugar.
FABAG attributes the delays to a shortage of unskilled labour needed to offload cargo from ships, following a strike triggered by unresolved compensation issues with port management. While temporary workers have been engaged to ease the pressure, the association maintains that the arrangement falls well short of operational requirements.
“These workers can currently offload only about 200 metric tonnes per day, far below the usual operational level of a minimum 2000 metric tonnes a day,” FABAG stated, describing the gap as unsustainable for normal port operations.
The reduced offloading capacity has resulted in prolonged clearance times and rising demurrage charges, significantly increasing operational costs for importers. FABAG cautioned that if the delays persist, businesses may be forced to pass these additional costs on to consumers, potentially affecting food affordability.
They also warned that continued inefficiencies at Tema Port could have wider trade and revenue consequences, pushing some importers to divert cargo to neighbouring ports, particularly Lomé in Togo.
According to FABAG, rerouting cargo through neighbouring ports could create opportunities for smuggling goods back into Ghana, leading to revenue leakages and undermining established trade controls.
Calling for urgent intervention, the association appealed to port authorities, government agencies, and labour representatives to resolve the impasse swiftly. “A swift and sustainable resolution is necessary to restore efficient port operations, reduce unnecessary financial burdens, and ensure the smooth flow of food and beverage supplies to the Ghanaian market,” the statement said.
Tema Port serves as Ghana’s primary maritime gateway and plays a critical role in the importation of food and industrial goods. Prolonged disruptions risk affecting manufacturing, retail, and consumer markets if immediate action is not taken.
