Ghana needs new port terminal as cargo volumes rise – CUTS

Ghana’s growing import volumes are putting increasing pressure on the country’s port infrastructure, with businesses and consumers ultimately bearing the cost through higher demurrage charges.

West African Regional Director of CUTS International, Appiah Adomako Kusi, said the situation has become serious enough to require the development of another terminal to complement existing facilities.

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Speaking on Channel One TV on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, he said Ghana’s port capacity has been under significant pressure since 2020, as the volume of goods entering the country continues to rise.

He explained that the continued congestion is contributing to delays in clearing cargo and increasing demurrage costs for importers.

“When you look at the volume of goods coming to the port and use a six-month moving average, you should know that after 2020, the port would have exceeded its capacity and that a new terminal would have been needed,” he stated.

According to him, the additional costs incurred by businesses do not end at the ports, as they are eventually passed on to consumers through higher prices.

He also raised concerns about the impact of port congestion on petroleum products, saying about $50 million in demurrage costs linked to petroleum products is passed on to fuel prices every year.

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He therefore called on the government to consider developing another terminal, potentially through a public-private partnership, to ease pressure on existing facilities.

He stressed that future investments in port infrastructure should be guided by cargo volume data and Ghana’s projected growth in trade.

DR/MA

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