Ghana risks losing port business to Lomé, Abidjan – GPHA warns

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) is urging the removal of VAT levies on transit cargo to maintain Ghana’s competitive edge over regional ports in Lomé and Abidjan.

GPHA’s Director General, Brigadier General Paul Seidu Tanye Kulono, argues that since transit shipments are not for the local market, removing the levies would attract more business, boost revenue, and create jobs.

GPHA is also tackling operational challenges such as scanner breakdowns at the Meridian Port Services terminal, which cause processing delays. To ease congestion, the Authority is working on infrastructure improvements, including dredging at Tema Port, road repairs, and a new road between Terminals 2 and 3.

Additionally, a legal framework review is underway to modernize outdated laws, aligning with GPHA’s broader strategy of digitization, efficiency, and accountability.