The Stakeholder Forum on the Competitiveness of Ghana’s Seaborne Trade by the Ghana Chamber of Shipping, under the auspices of the Ministry of Transport, was successfully concluded on 18th September 2025 at Alisa Hotel, Tema.
The event provided an engaging platform where policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and maritime experts exchanged ideas and shared perspectives on developing a transport system based on efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness.
Highlights from the event included:
𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭
She commended the Ghana Chamber of Shipping for convening the forum and emphasised the government’s commitment to transforming Ghana’s ports into the premier maritime hub of West Africa. She noted some ongoing efforts, such as the Tema Port Expansion Project, policy reforms, and the 24-Hour Economy Policy. She also outlined the government’s commitment to reducing transaction costs, streamlining clearance processes, reviewing port levies, and aligning with global sustainability goals under the IMO’s Green Voyage 2050 Programme.
𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐉𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐡, 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫
She emphasised three critical pillars for the maritime sector: efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness. She underscored the importance of Tema and Takoradi ports in Ghana’s economy and West Africa’s trade flows while pointing to challenges such as congestion, inefficiencies, and high costs. She also highlighted the strong link between transparency and efficiency, urging stakeholders to collaborate actively in shaping reforms.
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐑. 𝐊. 𝐀𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐮, 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫
He drew attention to pressing industry issues and stressed the importance of predictability in sector operations to drive competitiveness and attract investment. He emphasised the need for data-driven policies, capacity development, and customer-oriented regulation to position Ghana’s maritime industry for growth.
𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐚, 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫
She presented the key points raised during discussions, underscoring the need for collaboration between government and industry players, clarity in regulatory frameworks, and investment in technology to modernise Ghana’s maritime and logistics systems.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬
Stakeholders agreed on practical measures, including:
✅ Ensuring predictability through minimal interference and stronger collaboration.
✅ Developing a clear national maritime transport policy and robust regulatory framework.
✅ Strengthening data gathering for uniformity and evidence-based policies.
✅ Promoting customer-oriented regulation and reducing costs for port users.
✅ Investing in human capital and productivity.
✅ Improving connectivity and infrastructure around the ports.
✅ Leveraging technology and aligning with AfCFTA opportunities to boost trade.
🚢 The forum reaffirmed that Ghana’s maritime sector holds immense potential to drive trade, investment, and economic growth. Realising this potential requires collaboration, transparency, and a shared commitment to competitiveness.
