The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has warned that congestion at the country’s ports is worsening, with hundreds of containers stuck uncleared for extended periods, threatening supply chains and driving up costs for businesses and consumers.
The Association says the growing backlog is disrupting cargo flow, increasing demurrage and operational expenses, and adding pressure to already strained businesses.
It attributes part of the congestion to the recent appreciation of the cedi, which has prompted some importers to delay clearing their goods in anticipation of even more favourable exchange rates.
According to the Association, this behaviour, combined with persistent operational challenges at the ports, has slowed cargo clearance and led to a buildup of containers, particularly at the Tema Port.
A major concern highlighted is recurring system downtimes at the Meridian Port Services (MPS) terminal. The Association says these disruptions have reduced cargo handling efficiency and worsened congestion, forcing some containers to be diverted to off-dock terminals.
The Executive Secretary of the Association, Mr Samson Asaki Awingobit, cautioned that prolonged delays at the ports could have far-reaching consequences for the economy.
“There is a traffic issue at the ports, and there have also been one or two breakdowns at MPS,” he said. “I am aware of the system MPS is using. When containers arrive at MPS, some have to be transferred to outside terminals.”
Mr Awingobit warned that extended clearance timelines and the additional cost of transferring containers to external terminals are placing a heavy financial burden on importers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises that rely on imported raw materials and finished goods.
He noted that if the situation persists, businesses may be forced to pass on higher costs to consumers, while Ghana’s competitiveness could be undermined.
“We are continuing to pray that nothing untoward happens and that the government maintains this stability to grow the economy,” he added.
The Association has therefore called on port authorities and other relevant stakeholders to urgently address system reliability issues, improve coordination among terminal operators, and introduce measures that encourage timely clearance of goods.
It says these steps are critical to easing congestion, reducing costs, and safeguarding trade efficiency at Ghana’s ports.
