Ghana paid $60 million in demurrage last year over port delays – CUTS

West African Regional Director of CUTS International, Appiah Adomako Kusi, has called for urgent reforms to Ghana's logistics system, warning that delays in the movement and clearance of goods are imposing high costs on businesses.

He said the challenges affect several areas of the supply chain, including the country's ports, airports and domestic transport system, making it more expensive for businesses to move goods and services.

Speaking on Citi FM on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, Kusi said the situation at the ports was particularly concerning, with businesses incurring additional charges while waiting for cargo to be discharged.

He said Ghana paid about $60 million in demurrage to shipping lines last year because of delays in discharging finished fuel products at the ports.

“Last year, close to $60 million was paid as demurrage to shipping lines because of the delays it takes for these shipping vessels to be able to unload the finished products into the country,” he said.

According to him, tankers and Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs) are among the businesses affected by the delays, as they are forced to bear additional costs while vessels wait to discharge their cargo.

Adomako Kusi said the problem extended beyond fuel, citing delays associated with clinker imports and complaints from freight forwarders about cargo clearance at the airport.

He also raised concerns about the high cost of domestic air transport, saying the various challenges pointed to the need for a broader review of Ghana's logistics system.

He urged policymakers to approach logistics as an efficiency and engineering challenge, arguing that improving the movement of goods and services could reduce unnecessary expenditure and make businesses more competitive.

He warned that without measures to address the existing gaps, businesses would continue to incur higher costs without receiving corresponding benefits from the logistics system.

ANAS/MA

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