Ghana’s government is set to develop a coastal water transport system aimed at promoting sustainable mass transportation and improving mobility, Deputy Minister for Transport Dorcas Affo-Toffey announced.
Speaking at the 7th Africa Ports Forum in Accra, Affo-Toffey stated that the selection process for a consultant to conduct a feasibility study on the project is nearly complete. The initiative aligns with the national transport policy’s objective to introduce alternative transit systems.
Affo-Toffey, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Jomoro, emphasized the maritime sector’s critical role under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.
“When we look out at the Gulf of Guinea, we do not just see water; we see the lifeblood of our national economy,” Affo-Toffey said, noting that more than 90% of Ghana’s international trade is seaborne. “Today, under the leadership of His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, the government of Ghana’s vision for the maritime sector is clear, bold, and unambiguous, which is to position Ghana as the leading, most efficient, secure, and sustainable maritime logistics hub in West Africa.”
To achieve this goal, the ministry is focusing on structural modernization, cost reduction, robust security, and the sustainable growth of the blue economy.
The Deputy Minister highlighted recent infrastructural milestones, including the commissioning of the first two phases of the $1.5 billion Tema Port Expansion Project last November. The project, a joint venture between Meridian Port Services (MPS) and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), established one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most advanced deep-water berths, successfully increasing container throughput and reducing vessel turnaround times.
“Through this partnership, we have created one of the most advanced deep-water berths in sub-Saharan Africa,” Affo-Toffey explained.
As part of the government’s 24-Hour Economy Policy, the Port Authority has fully transitioned to a 24-hour operational model.
“A key anchor of the government’s resetting agenda is the 24-Hour Economy Policy, and in keeping with the policy, the Port Authority has fully rolled out a 24-hour operational model,” Affo-Toffey said. “Since trade does not sleep, neither should our gateways. The Takoradi Port is equally being developed to position it as the premier oil and gas services hub and a major bulk cargo terminal, ensuring that our natural resource exports are handled with world-class efficiency.”
Affo-Toffey stated that Ghana’s maritime strategy extends beyond domestic deep-water ports to include an integrated regional network. The government is nearing a structured rollout of a private sector-partnered coastal marine transport service that will connect Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. Furthermore, to maximize the economic value of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the state intends to establish a domestic coastal water transport system along the coastline.
The ministry also confirmed its commitment to accelerating the completion of the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal (BILT) Project in Kumasi. Once operational, the terminal will bring port services closer to northern Ghana and serve as a transit corridor for neighboring landlocked nations like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
Addressing port digitalization, Affo-Toffey acknowledged that transitioning to advanced AI-driven customs and risk-assessment platforms has encountered initial teething issues. She assured industry stakeholders that the ministry is actively collaborating with the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), freight forwarders, and clearing agents to resolve these challenges, ensuring technology reduces corruption and accelerates cargo clearance.
Regarding security, Ghana has achieved 100% compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The country has upgraded its Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) to cover a capacity of 200 nautical miles for over-the-horizon monitoring. The Ghana Maritime Authority is also deploying personnel, rescue boats, and patrol vessels to safeguard inland waterways and protect local fishermen from incursions.
In line with global maritime standards and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 13 and 14, Affo-Toffey concluded that Ghana is transitioning toward green shipping corridors by enforcing stricter regulations against marine plastic pollution and exploring alternative, cleaner fuels to protect marine ecosystems.