Ghana will host the inaugural Ghana-International Shipping and Logistics Summit from July 28–29, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre.
Far from being a ceremonial gathering, the summit is being positioned as a high-stakes intervention to address the sector’s deep-rooted inefficiencies—issues that have cost businesses an estimated $200 million annually and compromised Ghana’s position as a regional trade hub.
Under the theme “A Call to Duty, Accelerating Action: Transforming Ghana’s Shipping & Logistics Sector for Global Competitiveness,” the summit aims to unite over 1,000 industry leaders, government officials, and international stakeholders in an urgent conversation on reform.
Ghana’s ports are some of the most expensive in West Africa, a problem made worse by fragmented regulatory coordination, outdated infrastructure, and limited access to financing. Industry insiders argue that excessive bureaucratic procedures—such as cargo clearance delays that stretch up to two weeks—are stifling trade and scaring away investment.
But change may be on the horizon. Organizers have promised the summit will deliver actionable solutions rather than empty rhetoric. Key speakers include President John Dramani Mahama, Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare, and Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe, who are all expected to outline transformative strategies for the sector.
Also lending weight to the summit’s agenda are top regulators like Prof. Ransford Edward Gyampo of the Shippers Authority and Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali of the Ghana Maritime Authority, whose agencies will be central to any reform effort.
Attendees will not only hear speeches but also participate in policy-driven panel discussions, live exhibitions of modern logistics tech, and curated networking events designed to foster public-private collaboration.
By spotlighting digital transformation and the need for coordinated, transparent governance, the summit hopes to spark reforms that can lower trade costs, improve efficiency, and restore investor confidence.
Ultimately, the summit serves as a rallying cry to fix a sector many say is at a breaking point—and to reimagine Ghana’s logistics landscape as a competitive force in the global marketplace.
