Josiah
Despite facing a challenging economic climate both locally and internationally in 2023, the Tema Port successfully managed 18 million tonnes of cargo, while the Takoradi Port handled eight million tonnes. This marked a significant improvement in performance during the second half of the year, following a relatively slow start in the first half.
Mr. Michael Achagwe Luguje, the Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), noted that the Takoradi Port demonstrated improved performance compared to the previous year. He attributed this positive trend in the latter half of 2023 to collaborative initiatives between GPHA and external stakeholders, as well as broader economic factors.
Among the initiatives implemented was a scheme to stabilize exchange rates charged on transit goods at three-month intervals, aimed at preventing increased costs due to fluctuating rates. In early 2023, GPHA engaged with stakeholders in Ghana and shipping lines to gather information and insights contributing to the decline in import figures. The findings were subsequently presented to Ghana’s economic management team.
Mr. Luguje expressed confidence that measures would be taken to address the escalating cost of doing business in Ghana’s seaports. He clarified that while GPHA is often perceived as responsible for high costs, port charges constitute only 10 percent of the total clearance expenses. The majority of costs, he explained, arise from duties and statutory taxes. The government is actively reviewing these aspects to explore ways of reducing the financial burden.
In emphasizing the interconnectedness of the logistics sector’s business costs with port systems and infrastructure efficiency, Mr. Luguje underscored GPHA’s commitment to enhancing port efficiency. This, he believes, will contribute to positioning Ghana as the preferred hub in the sub-region.
