Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nipe has said government will soon begin expanding roads and rail links to the country’s ports to ease congestion and improve cargo movement.
Speaking at the commemoration of World Maritime Day 2026 on Thursday, September 24, the Minister said the expansion has become necessary as container and cargo volumes at the ports continue to rise.
“The volume in terms of container and other cargo in our ports has doubled, meaning that we have to also work in a way that will increase the facilities or expand the facilities in the ports.”
He said government is also working to connect rail services from the port to the Unity Terminal, about seven kilometres away, to facilitate the faster movement of container cargo.
“If that comes on board, we will be working towards decongesting our port and facilitating the free or the quick movement of container cargo from our port.”
As part of the decongestion programme, the Minister said government will also expand and rehabilitate port access roads and arterial routes, alongside improvements to rail services.
Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Dr Kamal Deen Ali, says the Authority is strengthening maritime surveillance to keep pace with increasing activity in Ghana’s waters.
He said efforts are underway to improve maritime domain awareness, with enhanced surveillance capabilities expected to be fully integrated by the end of the year.
“Ghanaians should be assured that we take our stewardship very seriously and we perform it in the quiet. So, you may not see us every day speaking, but 24 hours we are working and providing adequate deliveries for this country.”
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority in charge of Technical Services, Sylvia Asana Dauda Owu, says stronger collaboration among stakeholders is needed to address congestion and delays at the ports.
“We know the concerns, port congestion, cargo clearance delays, and its attendant costs of moving goods through our ports have, at various times, tested the patience of shippers and other industry players.”
She said the challenges affect inventory, cash flow, prices and the competitiveness of Ghana’s ports.
Stakeholders say sustaining growth in the maritime sector will require increased investment, stronger collaboration and effective regulation.
By Beatrice Sowah
