Ghana’s cargo trade maintained strong momentum in March, with container traffic through the Tema and Takoradi ports rising 24.7 percent year-on-year to 91,742 containers, even as passenger arrivals slipped 1.8 percent to 96, 412.
This is according to the Bank of Ghana’s May 2026 Monetary Policy Report.
The sharp increase in container volumes reflects continued growth in trade through the country’s two main seaports. In March 2025, the ports handled 73,577 laden containers, compared with 91,742 during the same period this year.
The strong March performance also lifted first-quarter cargo volumes. Total laden container traffic reached 237,018 containers between January and March 2026, up 15.5 percent from 205,145 containers recorded during the corresponding period last year.
While cargo activity strengthened, passenger traffic was more subdued.
The report showed that 96, 412 passengers arrived through Ghana’s international airport and land borders in March, compared with 98,146 arrivals in March 2025. Passenger arrivals were, however, broadly unchanged from 96,494 recorded in February, suggesting travel demand remained relatively stable on a monthly basis.
Despite the March decline, international arrivals posted modest growth over the first three months of the year. Cumulative passenger arrivals reached 302,993 in the first quarter of 2026, representing a 2.6 percent increase from 295,415 recorded during the same period in 2025.
The latest Bank of Ghana figures point to a stronger performance in merchandise trade than passenger movement during the opening quarter of the year, with cargo volumes continuing to expand at a faster pace than cross-border travel.
