Importers warn of rising port congestion as delayed clearances disrupt trade

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has sounded the alarm over increasing congestion at the country’s ports, where large numbers of containers are remaining uncleared for long periods, disrupting normal trade operations.

According to the Association, the situation is negatively affecting supply chains, pushing up operational expenses, and adding to the cost pressures faced by businesses and consumers. One contributing factor, it noted, is the recent appreciation of the cedi, which has prompted some importers to delay clearing their consignments in the hope of benefiting from even more favourable exchange rates. This trend, together with operational inefficiencies at the ports, has slowed clearance processes and caused containers to pile up.

The Association also cited persistent system outages at the Meridian Port Services (MPS) terminal as a major challenge. These technical disruptions have reduced cargo-handling efficiency at the Tema Port, resulting in some containers being redirected to off-dock terminals and further compounding congestion.

Speaking to Citi Business News, Executive Secretary of the Association, Samson Asaki Awingobit, cautioned that continued delays could lead to higher demurrage charges, increased prices for consumers, and weakened competitiveness for businesses that rely heavily on imported raw materials and finished goods.

He stressed the importance of maintaining economic stability, while drawing attention to traffic challenges and occasional breakdowns at MPS. Mr. Awingobit explained that the transfer of containers to external terminals comes with additional costs and longer clearance times, placing a heavier financial burden on importers, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Importers and Exporters Association has therefore called on port authorities and relevant stakeholders to address system reliability issues, improve coordination among terminal operators, and introduce measures that will encourage the prompt clearance of goods to ease congestion and support efficient trade.