The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has urged the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to reclaim lands whose leases have expired and develop them into additional terminals to ease congestion at the Tema Port.
Mr Samson Asaki Awingobit, Executive Secretary of the IEAG, said the expected increase in cargo volumes in the coming months required urgent expansion of port infrastructure and cargo-handling capacity.
He said the situation at the port had become critical, with growing volumes of containers and trucks putting pressure on existing facilities and affecting businesses and residents in surrounding communities.
Mr Awingobit made the call at the launch of activities marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the GPHA.
“From where I sit, our port has grown to the extent that we are overwhelmed with cargo,” he said.
He said cargo volumes were expected to increase further between September and December, making it necessary for the GPHA to create additional capacity.
Reclaim Expired Leased Lands
Mr Awingobit urged the GPHA to review the use of lands leased to private businesses and reclaim those whose lease periods had expired for port-related development.
He said such lands could be converted into additional terminals and holding areas for containers, empty containers, trucks and other cargo.
“Land is an asset. If these lands are not outright for sale but lease, when the lease expires, the port should not approve any further lease. We should claim the land back, build more terminals and receive more cargo,” he stressed.
The IEAG Executive Secretary said expanding port capacity would help the country manage rising trade volumes while reducing pressure on existing terminals and access routes.
He said the congestion was affecting not only port operations but also residents and businesses in Tema, Ashaiman and other surrounding communities.
Mr Awingobit warned that the situation could worsen in the final months of the year if additional cargo-handling capacity was not created ahead of the expected increase in imports.
Expand Capacity For Imports And Exports
He also called for measures to strengthen Ghana’s export infrastructure, saying port facilities should have adequate capacity to handle both import and export cargo efficiently.
He said improving port capacity was essential to supporting trade, reducing delays and maintaining the competitiveness of Ghanaian businesses.
The IEAG Executive Secretary urged stakeholders to take urgent steps to address the congestion before rising cargo volumes placed further strain on the Tema Port and surrounding communities.
