The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has urged the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to quickly meet with shipping companies to address the growing congestion at the Tema Port.

The association said the situation is "having a severe negative impact on businesses and adding significant costs to the import and clearing process", creating difficulties for traders and increasing the expenses associated with clearing goods.

In a statement signed by its President, Clement Boateng, GUTA attributed much of the congestion to "unstuffed empty containers not being discharged at the various shipping line depots and yards."

The development has reportedly resulted in heavy traffic involving trucks, with queues extending from the port’s entrance to the gates of the Regional Maritime University.

According to GUTA, some truck operators have spent nearly a week waiting to offload their empty and unstuffed containers.

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The association further disclosed that its inquiries showed the congestion was "contributing to the accumulation of demurrage charges, with some empty containers continuing to occupy space at the terminals."

With terminal space becoming increasingly limited, GUTA said the movement of stuffed containers into the port for examination and eventual clearance has also been affected.

The traders’ group noted that the situation is being compounded by the inability of some shipping companies to provide the necessary logistics to transport empty containers from the terminals to their designated depots and yards.

GUTA cautioned that allowing the challenge to continue could affect the implementation of the government’s 24-hour economy policy, particularly its plans concerning port operations.

It also expressed concern that the congestion could worsen in the months ahead as import activity is expected to increase towards the end of the year.

The association warned that prolonged delays would expose importers to further demurrage charges and raise the cost of doing business. These increased expenses, it noted, could eventually be transferred to consumers through higher prices for goods and services.

GUTA is therefore appealing for an urgent meeting between the GPHA and shipping lines to develop a sustainable solution to the congestion.

It stressed that immediate intervention is necessary to restore the efficient movement of containers and prevent the situation from causing further harm to traders, consumers and the wider economy.



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