As Ghana rolls out its 24-hour economy policy, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) is taking steps to position Tema Port as a competitive regional trade hub through strategic infrastructure upgrades designed to drive around-the-clock logistics and cargo handling.
Rather than focusing solely on physical improvements, the GPHA’s current projects reflect a broader economic strategy to enhance Ghana’s role in West African supply chains.
Director-General of GPHA, Brigadier General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, led an inspection tour of critical road rehabilitation works within the Tema Port enclave projects that are key to unlocking productivity under the 24-hour operations vision.
The inspection covered vital transport arteries, including the Mankoadze Roundabout to Harbour Roundabout road, the Harbour Roundabout to GHACEM road, and the direct link between Terminal 3 and Terminal 2.
These corridors serve as lifelines for cargo movement, and their transformation is central to GPHA’s push to create a high-efficiency port ecosystem.
One of the most impactful developments is the access road connecting Terminal 3 to Terminal 2. Upon completion, this link will drastically cut transfer times between the two busiest terminals, facilitating faster loading, offloading, and container re-routing, key performance metrics in any 24-hour logistics system.
“These infrastructure upgrades are more than construction projects. They are economic accelerators. Efficient ports drive trade, and trade drives national development,” said Brigadier General Tanye-Kulono.
He also reviewed progress on the breakwater construction at Terminal 2, which is intended to strengthen maritime safety and accommodate increased vessel traffic, particularly during off-peak hours under the new operational regime.
The GPHA’s investment in road and marine infrastructure aligns with President John Mahama’s broader “24hr+” development agenda, which includes unlocking productivity in logistics, transport, manufacturing, and trade by enabling continuous economic activity.
For Tema Port, the country’s busiest maritime gateway, this means not only physical upgrades but a complete reengineering of processes to support seamless, 24-hour operations.
Importantly, these improvements could have far-reaching benefits for Ghana’s export economy, particularly for sectors like horticulture, manufacturing, and agribusiness that depend on timely access to global markets.
Furthermore, improved turnaround times, decongested terminals, and reduced logistical bottlenecks are expected to improve competitiveness and lower costs for importers and exporters alike.
Brigadier General Tanye-Kulono emphasized that infrastructure alone is not enough, hence, operational culture and inter-agency collaboration must also evolve.
He called on all port stakeholders, including customs officials, freight forwarders, shipping lines, and logistics firms to align with the 24-hour economy vision.
“This is about building a future-ready port that supports Ghana’s aspirations in regional trade. We’re not just fixing roads; we’re laying the foundation for faster commerce, better jobs, and a stronger economy,” he said.
