The Tema Port container stack has decreased by 21.7% after Customs' intervention.

Within ten days, the Ghana Revenue Authority's (GRA) Customs Division was able to reduce the number of uncleared containers at the Tema Port from 4,600 to 3,600, a 21.7 percent decrease, according to Samuel Akrofi, Acting Head of the Ghana Customs Laboratory.

He claimed that the backlog, which began in July 2024 as a result of scanner malfunctions, has been aggravating port congestion and slowing down trade.

The scanning apparatus malfunctioned, which caused delays in the shipment processing. Eventually, there were 4,600 containers at Meridian Port Services (MPS) by 2012. It was becoming out of control.

During Eye on Port, a program run by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Akrofi stated, "The companies that owned the scanners attempted to fix the malfunctions by sending in experts, but the problems continued, causing significant delays."

In January 2025, he added, Customs implemented new methods to solve the problem. A crucial step was to transfer uncleared containers to internal container depots (ICDs), where they would be physically inspected rather than scanned.

Akrofi stated, "We moved the containers to depots like the Golden Jubilee Terminal for additional checks because we needed to clear the backlog without compromising security."

He made it clear that even if the containers weren't scanned, a thorough human inspection was done to guarantee that security was upheld.

“The scanners complement our work, but Customs has other technologies and processes to verify shipments. We did not take any risks,” he said.

Also, he said beyond addressing the backlog, Customs is making efforts to improve efficiency in cargo clearance through the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) – a digital platform that streamlines trade processes by reducing paperwork, enhancing risk management and improving collaboration among agencies.

Furthermore, he highlighted that Customs has shifted from a border-focused approach to a supply chain-based system.

“We no longer just check goods at the border. Now, we track shipments throughout the supply chain using technology. The use of risk profiling allows trusted traders to clear goods faster, while high-risk traders face stricter checks,” he elaborated.

Moreover, he noted that Customs is also focused on increasing government revenue. Akrofi said that instead of checking every single shipment, it will use data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify non-compliant traders.

“Most shipments are compliant, but a few pose a security threat. Our job is to find and stop those ones without slowing down the entire process,” he explained.

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