The Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi, has said that the ongoing dredging at Tema Port will help reduce delays for cement manufacturers.
He made the remarks on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, while visiting the port alongside the Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe and his deputy, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, to inspect dredging works aimed at increasing the port’s capacity to accommodate larger vessels.
The visit underscored the government’s commitment to enhancing port operations and reducing the cost of doing business in Ghana.
Speaking during the inspection, Sampson Ahi, on behalf of Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama, the Transport Minister, and the management of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) for delivering on their promise to complete key dredging works within two weeks.
He noted that delays in offloading clinker at the port had long been a challenge for cement manufacturers, forcing them to incur high demurrage charges that increased production costs and ultimately the price of cement for consumers.
“This intervention will support the cement business in the country and help reduce unnecessary delays at the port,” he said, adding that collaboration between ministries and agencies is key to lowering the cost and time involved in doing business in Ghana.
Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring Tema Port operates efficiently to serve Ghana and the wider sub-region, including landlocked countries.
He revealed that the dredging of Berths 13 and 14 will now allow larger vessels carrying up to 65,000 tons of clinker and other materials to dock directly at Tema, eliminating the previous need for partial offloading at Takoradi Port.
The minister explained that the development will ease congestion, speed up cargo handling, and support cement manufacturers by providing faster access to raw materials.
The inspection confirmed that Berths 13 and 14 are now ready to receive larger vessels, marking a major step toward improving port efficiency and reducing the cost of doing business in Ghana.
Major General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, Director-General of the GPHA, said the dredging project is designed to improve port efficiency and accommodate larger vessels. He noted that the deeper berths will reduce turnaround time for ships and lower operational costs, benefits that will ultimately be passed on to consumers.
He added that full dredging works are expected to be completed by mid-June 2026, positioning Tema Port to operate more efficiently and support the government’s vision of a 24-hour economy, while creating jobs and wealth for Ghanaians.
Government officials commended the GPHA for delivering the project on time, describing it as an example of effective collaboration to drive economic growth, job creation, and improved service delivery.
The inspection follows a February 2026 meeting convened by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry with the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana (COGMAG) and the Transport Ministry to address shipping delays at the port.
to inspect dredging works aimed at increasing the port’s capacity to accommodate larger vessels.
The visit underscored the government’s commitment to enhancing port operations and reducing the cost of doing business in Ghana.
Speaking during the inspection, Sampson Ahi, on behalf of Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama, the Transport Minister, and the management of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) for delivering on their promise to complete key dredging works within two weeks.
He noted that delays in offloading clinker at the port had long been a challenge for cement manufacturers, forcing them to incur high demurrage charges that increased production costs and ultimately the price of cement for consumers.
“This intervention will support the cement business in the country and help reduce unnecessary delays at the port,” he said, adding that collaboration between ministries and agencies is key to lowering the cost and time involved in doing business in Ghana.
Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring Tema Port operates efficiently to serve Ghana and the wider sub-region, including landlocked countries. He revealed that the dredging of Berths 13 and 14 will now allow larger vessels carrying up to 65,000 tons of clinker and other materials to dock directly at Tema, eliminating the previous need for partial offloading at Takoradi Port.
The minister explained that the development will ease congestion, speed up cargo handling, and support cement manufacturers by providing faster access to raw materials.
The inspection confirmed that Berths 13 and 14 are now ready to receive larger vessels, marking a major step toward improving port efficiency and reducing the cost of doing business in Ghana.
Major General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, Director-General of the GPHA, said the dredging project is designed to improve port efficiency and accommodate larger vessels. He noted that the deeper berths will reduce turnaround time for ships and lower operational costs, benefits that will ultimately be passed on to consumers.
He added that full dredging works are expected to be completed by mid-June 2026, positioning Tema Port to operate more efficiently and support the government’s vision of a 24-hour economy, while creating jobs and wealth for Ghanaians.
Government officials commended the GPHA for delivering the project on time, describing it as an example of effective collaboration to drive economic growth, job creation, and improved service delivery.
The inspection follows a February 2026 meeting convened by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry with the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana (COGMAG) and the Transport Ministry to address shipping delays at the port.
