Few developments capture Ghana’s economic aspirations more than its bustling ports, the gateways to West Africa’s booming trade. Ghana’s ports—Tema and Takoradi—handle over 85% of the nation’s trade, with Tema Port alone processing more than 1,500 vessel calls annually. The total cargo throughput at Ghana’s ports has consistently exceeded 25 million metric tons per year, with transit cargo to landlocked countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger accounting for a significant portion of this figure.
Beyond their immediate economic role, Ghana’s ports are central to the logistics chain that facilitates trade across West Africa. With the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Ghana is uniquely positioned to become a major transit hub for commerce within the region. The movement of goods through Ghana’s ports to neighboring landlocked countries has seen steady growth, emphasizing the importance of efficient customs clearance, warehousing, and intermodal transport connections.
To achieve this vision, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has embarked on extensive expansion efforts. The Tema Port expansion project, a $1.5 billion investment that was initiated in 2016 and saw its key infrastructural elements come online in phases by 2019, has already delivered new berths, increased container handling capacity, and deeper draughts to accommodate larger vessels. Similarly, Takoradi Port embarked on major upgrades around 2018, including new oil and gas service facilities and an expanded dry bulk terminal, with these improvements extending well into the early 2020s. These infrastructural advancements are crucial if Ghana is to fully harness the benefits of AfCFTA, which began its phased implementation in Ghana in 2018 and has increasingly shaped regional trade dynamics by 2021, positioning the nation to become the preferred transit hub for West Africa.
President John Mahama’s ambitious proposal for a 24-hour economy has reignited discourse on the nation’s logistical preparedness. Ghana’s ports, historically bogged down by bureaucracy, inconsistent energy supply, and outdated technology, are now being scrutinized for their ability to function seamlessly round the clock. Yet, the question remains: Can Ghana truly sustain a 24-hour port operation, or will this grand vision be hindered by deep-rooted structural inefficiencies?
The Global lesson: how 24-hour ports drive economic growth
The promise of 24-hour ports isn’t hypothetical—it’s a proven model that has transformed global trade. Ports that operate non-stop have significantly cut turnaround times, boosted trade volumes, and generated billions in additional revenue. One of the most striking examples is Singapore’s Port, the world’s second-busiest, which processes over 37 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually. Through advanced automation and streamlined customs procedures, Singapore has reduced cargo dwell times to a minimum, fueling a $50 billion maritime economy and solidifying its position as a global trade powerhouse.
In South Africa, Durban Port plays a crucial role in the nation’s economy, handling over 60% of the country’s sea trade. By implementing round-the-clock operations, the port has not only eased congestion but also significantly increased customs revenue, reinforcing the economic benefits of an uninterrupted logistics chain. Meanwhile, Lagos’ Apapa Port, despite its existing infrastructure challenges, has recorded a 15% increase in revenue since extending operations beyond regular hours. This demonstrates that even ports facing operational constraints can experience substantial economic gains by optimizing their working hours.
The lesson for Ghana is clear: efficiency is not merely about keeping ports open at night—it is about ensuring that every additional hour of operation translates into tangible economic value.
The Energy Conundrum: Keeping the Lights On
At the heart of this transformation lies Ghana’s energy infrastructure, a sector notorious for its volatility. The latest figures from the Energy Commission paint a troubling picture. As of late 2023, Ghana’s installed electricity capacity stood at approximately 5,300 MW, yet actual reliable generation hovers around 4,700 MW due to maintenance issues and fuel supply constraints. Industrial hubs like Tema and Takoradi already experience sporadic power outages, a reality that raises concerns about whether an uninterrupted 24-hour port operation can be sustained without jeopardizing efficiency.
Recent developments have exacerbated these concerns. In January 2025, the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) reported an urgent need for nearly $90 million to procure liquid fuel, such as light crude oil, to operate thermal plants in Tema and meet growing electricity demand. This funding is critical to avert a looming power crisis caused by insufficient fuel supplies for thermal plants. The much-touted Ghana National Gas Company expansion, intended to stabilize supply, has yet to reach full operational capacity, and reliance on hydroelectric sources remains precarious in the face of erratic rainfall patterns. The ports, already facing rising operational costs, will require dedicated energy infrastructure to ensure that critical activities, such as cargo handling and customs clearance, do not grind to a halt at night.
Security and Efficiency: Are the Ports Ready?
The logistical viability of a 24-hour economy hinges not only on energy supply but also on security and operational efficiency. Ghana’s ports have seen notable advancements in automation, with the introduction of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) replacing cumbersome manual processes. Yet, despite these improvements, security lapses remain a pressing concern. Smuggling, pilferage, and fraudulent documentation persist, with customs officials grappling with deeply entrenched syndicates that exploit gaps in surveillance and regulatory oversight.
A 24-hour port operation would necessitate a massive overhaul of security infrastructure. CCTV surveillance, biometric access for port workers, and AI-driven monitoring tools would need to be deployed at scale. The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has made commendable investments in digitization, but maintaining round-the-clock surveillance will require both financial and human capital that remains in short supply.
The Bottleneck of Inter-Agency Preparedness
A functional 24-hour economy does not end at the ports. It extends to critical agencies like the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), all of which play pivotal roles in trade facilitation. The GRA’s revenue data reveals that import duties and levies collected in 2022 amounted to GH₵ 10.14 billion, reflecting a 47.6% nominal growth from the previous year. However, inefficiencies in tax collection and clearance procedures continue to hamper smooth trade operations.
The FDA and GSA, responsible for ensuring the quality of imported goods, continue to face manpower shortages and delays in laboratory testing, leading to prolonged clearance times. Extending their operations to 24-hour cycles would require not just policy directives but substantial investment in staffing, automation, and infrastructure. Without this, night-time operations could become a breeding ground for regulatory lapses and corruption.
Counterarguments: A Pipe Dream or an Inevitable Shift?
Skeptics argue that a 24-hour economy is an impractical, politically motivated proposal that ignores the realities of Ghana’s infrastructural deficiencies. They point to past unfulfilled promises of industrialization, questioning whether Ghana can afford the capital investment required to make its ports fully operational around the clock. There is also the economic argument: Does Ghana have the trade volumes to justify a shift to 24-hour operations, or is this a solution in search of a problem?
On the other hand, proponents counter that the move is not only feasible but inevitable. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has positioned Ghana as a strategic logistics hub, and failing to modernize its ports could mean losing out to regional competitors like Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. Investors and multinational corporations increasingly demand real-time efficiency, and Ghana must adapt or risk being left behind.
The Verdict: Aspirational but Unfinished
Ghana’s ports stand at a crossroads. The infrastructure is improving, but gaps in energy reliability, security, and regulatory efficiency remain formidable obstacles. The shift to a 24-hour port economy is not an unworkable fantasy, but it is certainly not an overnight transformation. Success will require a combination of political will, strategic investment, and relentless execution. Without these, the 24 hour economy vision may remain just that—a vision.
GNA
