In the face of a challenging local and global economic environment 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 latter half of the year, following a sluggish first half.
Mr. Michael Achagwe Luguje, the Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) noted that the Takoradi Port outperformed its previous year’s performance. He credited this improvement to collaborative initiatives between GPHA and external stakeholders, along with broader economic factors.
One key initiative involved introducing a scheme to stabilize exchange rates for transit goods at three-month intervals. This aimed to prevent increased costs caused by fluctuating rates. In early 2023, GPHA engaged with stakeholders and shipping lines to identify factors contributing to the decline in import figures. The findings were presented to Ghana’s economic management team.
Mr. Luguje expressed confidence in the implementation of measures to reduce the escalating cost of doing business in Ghana’s seaports. He clarified that while GPHA is often held responsible for high business costs, port charges constitute only 10 percent of the total clearance expenses. The majority arises from duties, statutory taxes, and contributions from other operators like shipping lines and freight forwarders.
He highlighted the government’s awareness of the situation and its commitment to exploring solutions to reduce these costs. Emphasizing the direct link between the efficiency of port systems and infrastructure and the logistics sector’s business costs, Mr. Luguje reaffirmed GPHA’s dedication to enhancing port efficiency. The ultimate goal is to position Ghana as the preferred hub in the sub-region.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites) / Ahotoronline.com
