Convenor of the Advocates for Indigenous Freight Forwarders, Godfred Mawuli Tettey, (Dr.) has observed that the renewed operational reforms at the Port of Tema signal a decisive shift toward efficiency under Ghana’s 24-hour economy policy, describing management’s posture as a “strong demonstration of readiness to match policy with action.”
Dr. Tettey made the remarks following a courtesy call on the Director of Tema Port, Mr. Tebon Zumah, Esq. where discussions centred on current operational performance and the rollout of round-the-clock services at the country’s busiest seaport.
According to him, management of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) detailed measures designed to consolidate Tema’s status as a fully functioning 24-hour trade gateway. These include the extension of continuous services across key cargo terminals, improved coordination among regulatory and inspection agencies, and ongoing infrastructure enhancements within the port enclave to ease internal cargo movement.
Dr. Tettey noted that while ship-side operations have historically operated around the clock, the broader integration of landside terminal processes into a structured 24-hour regime marks a significant advancement for freight forwarders and importers.
“What we are seeing is a deliberate attempt to reduce bottlenecks and improve predictability in cargo clearance,” he stated, adding that consistency in night and weekend operations would directly impact cargo dwell time and overall transaction costs.
‘I love how the port is lit in the night due to efforts the management has made to improve on lighting the port’ he said.
He further underscored that sustained implementation would strengthen Ghana’s competitiveness in the West African maritime corridor and create measurable gains for indigenous freight operators.
Dr. Tettey pledged that his advocacy platform would remain actively engaged, both in supporting reforms and ensuring that duty holders across the clearance chain adhere strictly to established service standards.
“A 24-hour economy must reflect discipline and accountability at every stage — from documentation and inspection to cargo evacuation,” he stressed. “When every stakeholder delivers on their mandate, the entire industry — and the national economy — benefits.”
The engagement forms part of ongoing stakeholder consultations aimed at aligning the freight forwarding sector with Ghana’s broader economic transformation agenda through enhanced trade facilitation and operational efficiency at the ports.
