The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) is calling on the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to urgently intervene in the growing congestion at the Tema Port.
The situation, the traders’ group said, is already increasing the cost of doing business, with some truck drivers reportedly spending almost a week in queues before they can discharge empty containers.
In a statement dated August 31, 2026, GUTA urged the GPHA to engage shipping lines and find an immediate solution to the problem.
“We wish to state that the ongoing congestion is having a severe negative impact on business and is adding an additional layer of cost to doing business,” GUTA said.
The congestion, according to the association, is largely linked to delays in the discharge of unstuffed empty containers at shipping line depots and yards.
It said the resulting backlog has left trucks queuing from the entrance of the port to as far as the gates of the Regional Maritime University.
“Some drivers have been in the queue for almost one week before they are able to discharge their empty unstuffed containers,” the statement said.
GUTA further warned that the delays are creating additional demurrage costs for importers, as empty containers continue to occupy space at the terminals.
The association said this is also affecting the movement of stuffed containers that need to be brought into the terminals for examination and clearance.
It added that some shipping lines currently lack the logistics required to move the empty containers from the terminals to their respective yards.
Warning over rising prices
GUTA believes the congestion could have wider consequences for businesses and consumers if it persists.
The association warned that with the year-end import season approaching, the pressure on the port could intensify.
“Since we are almost at the end of the year, imports are going to peak and if this issue is not addressed immediately, the situation will worsen in the coming months,” it cautioned.
The traders also warned that continued demurrage charges would eventually be passed on to consumers through higher prices.
“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 said.
The association also raised concerns about the potential impact of the congestion on the government’s 24-hour economy policy, particularly its ambitions for increased activity at the port.
GUTA is therefore calling for an immediate meeting involving the relevant stakeholders to resolve the problem.
“We call for immediate stakeholder engagement to resolve this,” the statement noted.
