The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has called on the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to urgently engage shipping lines and other stakeholders to resolve the ongoing congestion at the Port of Tema.
According to GUTA, the congestion is having a severe impact on businesses and adding significantly to the cost of doing business for importers and traders.
In a statement signed by GUTA President, Clement Boateng, on August 15, 2026, GUTA said the situation has been caused largely by the failure of some shipping lines to discharge unstuffed empty containers at their designated depots and yards.
The association said the development has resulted in long queues of trucks stretching from the port entrance to the gates of the Regional Maritime University.
It noted that some truck drivers have reportedly spent almost a week in queues before being able to discharge their empty containers.
GUTA said its investigations have also revealed that the congestion is contributing to demurrage charges, as empty containers continue to occupy space at the terminals.
This, according to the association, is making it difficult for stuffed containers to be brought into the terminals for examination and clearance.
The association further claimed that some shipping lines lack the logistics required to move unstuffed containers from the terminals to their respective yards, thereby worsening the congestion.
GUTA warned that if the situation is not addressed immediately, it could undermine the government’s 24-hour economy policy at the port.
The association also expressed concern that import volumes are expected to increase as the year draws to a close, which could worsen the congestion in the coming months.
“If not addressed, importers will continue to incur demurrage charges which will be added to the cost of doing business, and this will ultimately translate into high prices of goods and services for the final consumer,” GUTA stated.
The traders’ association is therefore calling for an immediate stakeholder engagement involving the GPHA, shipping lines and other relevant parties to find a lasting solution to the problem.
Read the statement below:
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