The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has called on Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to convene an emergency stakeholder meeting to address persistent shipping delays, operational disruptions and rising charges at the Tema Port. Editorial Standards
In a statement dated October 19, 2026, the association warned that delays in issuing shipping invoices, processing payments and releasing containers were increasing costs for importers, exporters, freight forwarders, clearing agents and transport operators.
The development has raised concerns about the efficiency of Ghana’s maritime trade operations, particularly as businesses face additional financial pressure from demurrage, rent, storage and other charges associated with delayed cargo clearance.
According to reports, IEAG Executive Secretary Samson Asaki Awingobit said the situation required urgent ministerial intervention and coordinated action from the institutions responsible for port operations and shipping services.
The association wants the proposed meeting to bring together the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), shipping lines, terminal operators, clearing and forwarding agents, and other relevant industry players. The objective is to establish the causes of the delays, determine responsibility and agree on practical measures to resolve the challenges.
Delays Increase Financial Pressure on Businesses
IEAG says some businesses are experiencing difficulties clearing their cargo even after completing the necessary payments and documentation. Delays in invoice issuance, payment confirmation and container release can leave goods at the port for longer than expected, exposing importers to additional costs.
Demurrage charges may apply when containers remain beyond the permitted free period, while storage and container rent can add further expenses. For businesses operating with limited working capital, these charges can affect cash flow and increase the overall cost of bringing goods into Ghana.
The association acknowledges that legitimate port and shipping charges serve commercial and operational purposes. However, it argues that businesses should not be made to absorb unjustified costs resulting from service failures beyond their control. Corrections Policy
IEAG is therefore urging the Finance Minister to secure firm commitments from shipping lines on invoicing timelines, payment processing, container release procedures and the handling of complaints. It also wants effective remedies where investigations establish that service providers have failed to meet their obligations.
The concerns extend beyond individual businesses. Higher cargo-handling and clearance costs can place pressure on traders, manufacturers and distributors, potentially affecting the prices consumers pay for imported products and goods that depend on imported materials.
More Than 120 Trucks Reportedly Affected
The association has also raised concerns about reported disruptions at Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal 3, where more than 120 trucks scheduled to transfer containers were reportedly delayed.
According to IEAG, the disruption could prolong truck turnaround times, reduce the availability of vehicles for other assignments and interfere with haulage schedules. When trucks cannot complete their planned trips, delays can spread across the wider cargo transportation system, creating further congestion.
The association has called for a transparent investigation to determine what caused the reported disruption and whether it contributed to additional rent, storage or related charges. The allegations have not been independently established, making a fact-based assessment important before responsibility is assigned.
IEAG has urged GPHA to work with MPS and other relevant stakeholders to identify operational weaknesses and prevent similar incidents from recurring.
Authorities Urged to Strengthen Oversight
The association is asking the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to investigate complaints from port users and take appropriate action within its mandate. It also wants GPHA to strengthen operational oversight and work with terminal operators to improve coordination and cargo movement.
A central demand is stricter enforcement of Service Level Agreements governing shipping-line services, terminal operations, invoicing, payment processing, container releases and cargo transfers.
IEAG wants these agreements to establish measurable service standards, clear turnaround times, defined responsibilities and procedures for resolving disputes. It has also called for stronger complaint mechanisms and transparent monitoring of performance. Editorial Ethics & Independence
The association argues that accountability should apply to all parties in the shipping process. Importers and exporters are expected to meet their contractual obligations, including payment and container-return requirements, while service providers should also deliver services within agreed timelines.
Port Congestion Remains a Wider Concern
The latest complaints come amid broader efforts to address congestion at the Tema Port. On October 9, the Information Services Department reported that GPHA and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority had engaged maritime stakeholders to identify solutions to cargo evacuation challenges and reduce avoidable costs.
Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe also said in September that container volumes had increased by almost 100 per cent, placing significant pressure on terminal operations. He identified delayed cargo clearance, space constraints and operational disruptions among the challenges requiring attention.
These developments indicate that improving port efficiency will require coordinated measures involving infrastructure, equipment, shipping-line operations, customs processes and the movement of cargo in and out of the port. Newscard
IEAG insists that the emergency meeting requested from the Finance Minister must go beyond discussions and produce concrete decisions, assigned responsibilities, implementation deadlines and a mechanism to monitor progress.
For Ghana’s trading community, the immediate priority is to reduce avoidable delays, ensure charges are transparent and fairly applied, and restore confidence in port services. A timely and accountable response could help contain business costs, improve supply-chain reliability and protect the competitiveness of the country’s maritime trade sector.