Kofi Ahovi

  Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe has acknowledged container congestion at the Tema Port as a major challenge, stressing the government move to improve infrastructure and ease the movement of cargo. Nikpe made the remarks during a visit to the Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal at the Tema Port, where he engaged management on measures to improve the entry and exit of cargo. Currently, we are faced with a challenge, the container congestions in the port, and I believe this worries all of us, including you”, he noted. According to the Minister, the congestion reflects a gap between the growth in cargo volumes and the expansion of infrastructure supporting port operations. He said while the development of Terminal 3 has increased the port’s capacity to handle cargo, supporting infrastructure has not kept pace. We are putting in Terminal 3, the containers, the cargo is coming, but we didn’t continue to improve other infrastructure that is linking up with the port”, he added. ...

 The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in collaboration with the National Security and other key stakeholders, intercepted an additional 1,070 pieces of chanfang machines concealed in separate containers at the Tema Port. The latest seizure on Tuesday night, March 3, comes just weeks after the Authority uncovered more than 200 Chanfang machines hidden in 14 shipping containers in a similar operation. According to EPA officials, the scale of this latest interception is alarming, particularly given that the machines were reportedly destined for mining districts across the country. The EPA says it is intensifying surveillance on the importation of Chanfang machines as part of broader efforts to curb environmental degradation, especially the pollution of major water bodies. The crackdown coincides with the Authority’s ongoing pilot initiative to restore polluted rivers. Only weeks ago, the EPA deployed ionic nano-copper technology to treat the heavily polluted River Birim...

The government has announced plans to intensify dredging works at the Tema Port in a bid to resolve operational challenges that have left several clinker shipments stranded at the harbour and disrupted supply chains for cement manufacturers. The move comes after industry players raised concerns over persistent congestion at the port, which has lasted for more than two weeks and slowed the discharge of essential raw materials used in cement production. Manufacturers warn that the delays risk affecting production schedules, increasing operational costs, and potentially pushing up prices within Ghana’s construction sector if the situation is not resolved quickly. Speaking to journalists after a stakeholder engagement, the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, assured industry players that the government has already begun taking concrete steps to improve access to the port and restore smooth vessel movement. There is not any assurance on paper. It is already work ongoing. We started...

 The Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Brigadier General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono has revealed that the Port Authority will soon commence extensive dredging works at the Port of Tema, a key move aimed at increasing the depth of the harbour and enhancing its capacity to receive larger vessels. Speaking in an interview, he said arrangements for the dredging exercise are at an advanced stage, with actual works expected to begin by the end of next month. At the moment, the depth is about 8 meters. We intend to dredge it to between 12 and 14 meters,” the Director-General revealed. “This is crucial because currently, many larger vessels are unable to berth at Tema Port due to its limited depth.” He stated that the planned dredging, once completed, is expected to significantly improve vessel turnaround time by accommodating bigger ships. This will not only make Tema Port more competitive but also help cut costs for shipping lines and importers alike,” he no...