Tema Port congestion threatens Ghana's AI trade gains

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has warned that chronic congestion at the Tema Port threatens to negate the efficiency gains achieved by the country’s new AI-powered customs system. Since the Publican AI Trade Solution became operational in March 2026, it has processed approximately 366,000 import declarations and contributed to a rise in assessed customs collections by over US$300 million.

Despite these digital advancements, industry leaders, including Oro Oil Ghana Limited CEO Maxwell Commey, emphasize that physical infrastructure remains a critical bottleneck. Commey noted that rising trade volumes have caused yard congestion, empty-container backlogs, and heavy traffic. He highlighted that poorly maintained access roads and weak inland connectivity are driving up logistics costs, affecting business competitiveness, and limiting job creation.

Stakeholders are calling for urgent infrastructure reforms, including the rehabilitation of port access roads and better coordination among agencies, to ensure that digital improvements are not undermined by landside operational delays.