BY GRACE ZIGAH
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has called on Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to convene an emergency meeting with key maritime stakeholders to address persistent shipping delays, container transfer disruptions and rising operational costs at the Tema Port.
The Association says the challenges are placing additional financial pressure on importers and exporters, with some businesses reportedly facing delays in receiving their cargo even after completing the required payments and documentation.
In a statement dated October 19, 2026, IEAG Executive Secretary Samson Asaki Awingobit warned that the situation could undermine Ghana’s trade efficiency, disrupt supply chains and increase the cost of doing business if urgent measures are not introduced.
According to the Association, delays in shipping invoices, payment processing and container releases are contributing to additional demurrage, rent and storage charges, leaving businesses to bear costs they believe could have been avoided through more efficient port operations.
The Association is therefore urging the Finance Minister to bring together the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), shipping lines, terminal operators, clearing and forwarding agents, and other industry players to find lasting solutions.
IEAG insists that the proposed meeting must go beyond discussions and produce concrete decisions, clear responsibilities and strict deadlines for resolving the problems.
“The matter therefore requires urgent ministerial attention and coordinated intervention rather than routine stakeholder engagements that do not produce measurable results,” the Association stated.
The Association says businesses that have fulfilled their payment and documentation obligations should not be exposed to unnecessary costs because of delays beyond their control.
Although IEAG acknowledges that demurrage, rent and storage charges serve legitimate commercial and operational purposes, it argues that such fees must be transparent and consistent with approved tariffs, contractual terms and applicable laws.
The Association wants the emergency meeting to examine the causes of the delays, determine which parties are responsible for operational failures and establish clear procedures for handling complaints.
It has also called on shipping lines to make firm commitments regarding invoicing, payment processing, container release procedures and the resolution of disputes.
The Ghana Shippers’ Authority is being urged to investigate complaints from affected businesses and take appropriate action within its mandate, while the GPHA is expected to strengthen operational oversight and work with terminal operators to address bottlenecks.
IEAG believes that a coordinated response from the relevant institutions is necessary to prevent avoidable charges from undermining the competitiveness of Ghanaian businesses.
The Association has raised additional concerns about reported disruptions at Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal 3, where more than 120 trucks scheduled to transfer containers were reportedly delayed.
