Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Sampson Ahi, says ongoing dredging works at the Tema Port will significantly reduce delays in the discharge of clinker and other raw materials for cement manufacturers.

Mr Ahi made the remarks during an inspection of the dredging works on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, alongside the Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, and other government officials.

The visit formed part of the government’s efforts to improve port operations and reduce the cost of doing business in Ghana. The deputy minister shared details of the inspection and the expected benefits of the dredging works in a post on Facebook.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare, the deputy minister expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama, the Transport Ministry, and the management of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority for ensuring the dredging works are completed within the promised timeline.

According to him, delays in offloading clinker at the port have long posed a major challenge for cement manufacturers, forcing companies to incur high demurrage charges.

These additional costs, he said, ultimately translate into higher cement prices for consumers.

“This intervention will support the cement business in the country and help reduce unnecessary delays at the port,” Mr Ahi noted.

He stressed that collaboration between ministries and relevant agencies remains critical in reducing the cost and time involved in doing business in the country.

For his part, the Transport Minister, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the port operates efficiently to serve not only Ghana but also neighbouring landlocked countries that rely on the facility.

He disclosed that the dredging of Berths 13 and 14 will enable larger vessels carrying up to 65,000 tonnes of clinker and other materials to dock directly at the port.

Previously, such vessels were required to offload part of their cargo at Takoradi Port before proceeding to Tema due to draft limitations.

The new development, he explained, will help reduce congestion, speed up cargo handling and ensure quicker access to raw materials for cement manufacturers.

Officials during the inspection confirmed that Berths 13 and 14 are now ready to receive larger vessels, marking a significant milestone in efforts to improve port efficiency.

Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Major General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, explained that the dredging project is aimed at increasing the port’s capacity to accommodate larger vessels and improve operational efficiency.

He noted that deeper berths will reduce turnaround time for ships and lower operational costs, benefits that could ultimately be passed on to consumers.

According to him, the full dredging works are expected to be completed by mid-June, positioning the port to operate more efficiently and support the government’s vision of a 24-hour economy.

The government officials commended the port authority for delivering the project within the expected timeframe, describing it as an example of effective collaboration to drive economic growth, job creation and improved service delivery.

The inspection follows a meeting convened by the Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Ministry in February 2026 with the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana (COGMAG)and the Transport Ministry to address shipping delays at the port.