• Ghana to roll out round-the-clock services at Tema and Takoradi ports in July

• Reform aims to ease export logistics and reduce non-tariff barriers

• Study finds export potential could rise to $4.3 billion annually if barriers are removed

Ghana is preparing to introduce continuous port operations in July as part of a strategy to streamline trade logistics and triple its export earnings by 2030. The reform will be implemented at the country’s two main ports—Tema and Takoradi—and is aimed at reducing delays and costs in the export chain.

President John Dramani Mahama said during the announcement that the ambition is to make Ghanaian ports world-class logistics centers capable of supporting strong and sustainable growth in exports. The reform is part of a broader plan introduced in May to modernize port infrastructure and tackle bottlenecks that hinder exports, especially in sectors such as cocoa, pineapple, vegetables, cashew, and medicinal herbs.

These sectors often suffer from administrative slowdowns, post-harvest losses, and complex export procedures. Ghanaian exporters face some of the highest logistics costs in West Africa, with clearance times surpassing regional averages. Nearly 47% of exporters report major trade barriers, mostly non-tariff measures and procedural delays.

A major issue has been the lack of 24/7 service availability. Exporters also deal with heavy paperwork, with up to 16 documents required to obtain a single certificate of origin.

According to a July 2024 study by the International Trade Centre, removing trade barriers—such as compliance evaluations, export inspections, and customs delays—could help Ghana raise its exports to as much as $4.3 billion per year.