The Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG), Samson Asaki Awingobit, on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, welcomed a fact-finding team from the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) to the Association’s office in Tema.

The engagement formed part of the GMA’s efforts to solicit inputs, perspectives and practical recommendations from key stakeholders towards addressing the persistent congestion and operational challenges at the Tema Port.

Mr. Awingobit reiterated the IEAG’s call on the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to take urgent steps to reclaim port lands whose leases have expired or are due for expiration, where legally permissible, and consider developing additional and larger container-handling facilities to augment existing capacity.

According to the IEAG Executive Secretary, the increasing volume of cargo passing through the port makes it imperative for authorities to act proactively rather than wait for congestion to worsen. He noted that the significant growth in container traffic, including the reported volumes handled at Terminal 3, requires corresponding expansion of port infrastructure and capacity.

Mr. Awingobit also urged the GMA to pay particular attention to complaints of alleged extortion and unnecessary delays involving some inspection and security agencies operating at the port. He stressed that such practices, where established, increase the cost of doing business and can unnecessarily prolong the cargo-clearance process.

The IEAG further called for stronger enforcement against shipping lines that fail to promptly evacuate or repatriate empty containers after the associated import cargo has been cleared. Mr. Awingobit argued that the accumulation of empty containers at terminals occupies valuable operational space and contributes to congestion, and therefore called for appropriate regulatory measures and sanctions against persistent non-compliance.

The Association believes that a coordinated approach involving the GMA, GPHA, Ghana Shippers’ Authority, shipping lines, terminal operators, Customs and other port stakeholders is essential to achieving a sustainable solution to the congestion challenge.

The GMA fact-finding team, comprising Esi Sam, Albert Ameyaw and Nad Marvin Beyouri, expressed appreciation to the Executive Secretary and the IEAG team for their contributions, observations and recommendations. The team indicated that the inputs would contribute to its ongoing efforts to identify practical and sustainable measures to address congestion at the Tema Port.

IEAG remains committed to working with government and all relevant stakeholders to promote an efficient, competitive and business-friendly maritime and port environment in Ghana.