The government has secured the temporary use of an additional berth at the Tema Port to help clear the backlog of clinker imports and reduce demurrage charges facing cement manufacturers.
The intervention is expected to ease congestion at the port, where delays in handling clinker shipments have increased operational costs for cement producers.
Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said the existing three berths at the Tema Port were inadequate to cope with the volume of clinker imports.
She disclosed the arrangement after a closed-door meeting with cement manufacturers, noting that the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) had agreed to make an additional berth available temporarily.
“I’m happy to inform you that the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, under the direction of the Minister for Transport, have agreed to give us an extra berth temporarily so that we can clear the backlog and free the manufacturers from demurrage,” she said.
The Minister also said the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) had put measures in place to speed up the payment of duties, allowing importers to complete the clearance process more quickly.
She stressed that the government was committed to reducing inefficiencies and creating a more competitive environment for businesses operating in Ghana.
Director of the Tema Port, Tebon Zumah, welcomed the measures and expressed confidence that they would help cement manufacturers overcome the current difficulties.
He further expressed hope that the interventions would prevent further increases in cement prices.
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