Tema: Chief Executive Officer of Oro Oil Ghana Limited, Maxwell Commey, has called for urgent action to address congestion, high logistics costs, and poor inland connectivity affecting Ghana's ports, particularly the Tema Port. Commey emphasized that these challenges are increasing the cost of doing business, disrupting trade, and limiting job creation in the country.
According to Ghana Web, the situation could be improved through infrastructure upgrades, better cargo management, increased private-sector participation, digitalisation, and stronger coordination among agencies operating along the logistics chain. Commey highlighted that Ghana's ports, especially Tema, continue to struggle with congestion, high logistics costs, and weak inland connectivity.
Commey pointed out that these issues are not merely abstract for exporters and logistics players. For companies like Oro Oil Ghana, which rely on the efficient and cost-effective movement of goods, these challenges have direct implications on competitiveness, planning, and job creation. Rising trade volumes have repeatedly placed pressure on Tema's landside operations, resulting in delays, yard congestion, and higher costs for businesses and consumers.
He noted that documentation problems, prolonged container stays, and poor coordination across the logistics chain often lead to additional charges, which are eventually passed on to consumers. Landside congestion at Tema is further exacerbated by higher import volumes, empty-container backlogs, and heavy road traffic around the port enclave.
Commey identified inadequate road infrastructure as a significant contributor to the problem, stating that poor and deteriorating roads around Tema contribute to congestion, accidents, higher vehicle operating costs, and faster deterioration of the road network. He urged for prioritisation of port access roads, including key routes around the Tema Harbour area, for rehabilitation and capacity upgrades.
Furthermore, Commey advocated for aligning infrastructure investment with Ghana's export strategy, which would benefit exporters of palm oil, cocoa, other agricultural products, and manufactured goods by reducing delays, demurrage, and inventory costs while improving competitiveness in regional and international markets. Enhanced logistics infrastructure would also create jobs in trucking, freight handling, warehousing, and related services, thus supporting industrial and agricultural growth.
He stressed the importance of a coordinated approach, suggesting that Ghana should prioritise and fund integrated corridor projects combining roads, rail, and dry-port links, with clear maintenance regimes and public-private partnerships where appropriate. Commey also called for deeper digitalisation of port and logistics operations and greater private-sector participation in service provision.
Coordination among the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority Customs, roads and highways authorities, and private operators must be strengthened to ensure efficient information flow and accountability. The success of reforms, he asserted, should be measured by reduced cargo dwell times, lower logistics costs, greater predictability for shippers, and increased support for exports and job creation.
From the practical perspective of an exporter, Commey outlined that efficient freight movement means goods move at the right time and at a lower cost. Reliable and timely delivery of inputs to factories and farms, and competitive export access to markets, would strengthen businesses, create local employment, and enhance Ghana's position as a regional gateway.
Ghana already possesses the ports and ambition to become a major trade hub, but completing the necessary road and inland connectivity infrastructure is critical to achieving that goal. Commey concluded that focused investment, private involvement, and a comprehensive approach to the entire logistics system are essential steps towards transforming bottlenecks into reliable flow.