By Dr. David King BOISON
Imagine a Ghana where our ports never sleep—where ships dock, unload, and set sail around the clock, seamlessly moving goods and boosting trade.
This is the essence of a 24-hour economy, a system where economic activities continue uninterrupted, maximizing productivity, efficiency, and global competitiveness.
In today’s fast-paced world, ports are no longer just gateways for imports and exports; they are economic powerhouses that drive trade, attract investment, and create employment.
Leading maritime nations, particularly Singapore, Rotterdam, and Dubai, have mastered the art of a 24-hour economy by ensuring that their ports operate non-stop, 365 days a year. As a result, they have positioned themselves as major global shipping hubs, handling millions of containers and facilitating trillions in trade.
Ports serve as the backbone of international commerce, facilitating the movement of more than 80percent of global trade by volume and 70percent by value (International Maritime Organization, 2023).
A well-structured 24-hour port system offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance a country’s trade efficiency and economic output. Trade competitiveness improves as faster turnaround times for ships reduce congestion and attract more global shipping lines. Revenue generation increases as continuous port activity boosts customs earnings, logistics services, and auxiliary businesses.
Additionally, job creation expands as round-the-clock operations create employment opportunities in logistics, warehousing, and transportation. Moreover, supply chain efficiency is strengthened through the uninterrupted movement of goods, ensuring a steady flow of imports and exports.
Despite its strategic location and vital role in West African trade, Ghana’s maritime sector has yet to reach its full potential. Neighboring countries like Togo and Côte d’Ivoire are making aggressive investments in their ports, aiming to capture transit trade and attract global shipping lines.
If Ghana fails to adapt to these shifting dynamics, it risks losing its competitive edge in the region. This raises a crucial question: How can Ghana transform its maritime industry into a 24-hour economic powerhouse? The answer lies in learning from global success stories and implementing strategic reforms to unlock the full potential of its ports and coastline.
Global case studies – Singapore and other notable ports
In the global maritime industry, Singapore stands as an undisputed leader in port efficiency, connectivity, and round-the-clock operations. The Port of Singapore, ranked among the world’s busiest and most technologically advanced, has successfully implemented a 24-hour economy that ensures seamless trade flows, attracts major shipping lines, and strengthens the country’s position as a global maritime hub.
Singapore’s ability to operate continuously without delays is not by chance; it is the result of deliberate policy choices, advanced infrastructure, and cutting-edge technology that streamline every aspect of port operations. A critical factor in Singapore’s success is its commitment to automation and smart port solutions. The introduction of automated cranes, AI-driven logistics systems, and real-time data monitoring has significantly reduced turnaround times for ships.
In addition, the country’s investment in deepwater terminals has allowed it to accommodate ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs), a feat that ensures Singapore remains a preferred transshipment hub. To complement these technological advancements, the government has introduced progressive port policies, including tax incentives for shipping companies and streamlined customs clearance processes, making it easier and more cost-effective to do business.
Beyond Singapore, other ports have also demonstrated the transformative impact of a 24-hour maritime economy. The Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, for instance, has integrated artificial intelligence and blockchain technology into its supply chain, creating an efficient, transparent, and high-speed logistics network. Meanwhile, Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port, a major trade gateway in the Middle East, has thrived by implementing free trade zones, attracting multinational logistics firms, and continuously expanding its port capacity to handle growing global trade volumes.
For Ghana, these success stories present invaluable lessons. The ability to run a fully functional 24-hour port system requires more than just extending operating hours; it demands a fundamental transformation in infrastructure, technology, policy frameworks, and security. Without this holistic approach, achieving the same level of efficiency as global leaders will remain a distant ambition. The challenge now is how Ghana can adapt these models to create a thriving, competitive, and future-ready maritime industry.
Ghana’s maritime potential – a coastline overview
Ghana possesses a strategically positioned 539-kilometer coastline, stretching from Aflao in the east to Half Assini in the west (Source: Ghana Geological Survey Authority). This extensive maritime corridor, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, provides the country with a significant geographic advantage for becoming a leading maritime hub in West Africa. With direct access to major global trade routes, Ghana is well-placed to strengthen its shipping, logistics, and maritime industries, driving economic growth and regional trade competitiveness.
Tema Port – Expansion and challenges
Tema Port, Ghana’s largest and most advanced seaport, serves as the primary gateway for imports and exports. The Tema Port Expansion Project, executed in partnership with Meridian Port Services (MPS), has significantly increased port capacity, improved cargo-handling efficiency, and positioned Ghana as a key maritime player. This private-sector collaboration reflects Ghana’s commitment to port modernization and its strategic goal of enhancing maritime trade. However, despite these advancements, inefficiencies in port operations remain a concern.
The World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI), which ranks countries based on customs efficiency, infrastructure quality, international shipments, logistics competence, tracking capabilities, and timeliness, highlights areas where Ghana lags behind regional competitors. In the 2023 LPI rankings, Ghana’s logistics efficiency is lower than that of Benin, Togo, and Nigeria, indicating bureaucratic delays, infrastructure bottlenecks, and slower cargo clearance processes that hinder Ghana’s ability to compete effectively in the maritime sector (Source: World Bank LPI).
A key issue affecting Tema Port’s competitiveness is the slow pace of customs clearance. Unlike top-tier global ports such as Singapore and Rotterdam, where customs processes are fully automated and paperless, Ghana’s cargo clearance procedures which looks automated remain largely semi-manual, causing unnecessary delays. If Tema Port is to achieve 24-hour efficiency, digitalization and smart logistics integration must be prioritized to reduce turnaround times, minimize corruption, and improve overall trade facilitation.
Takoradi Port – Untapped potential
Takoradi Port, Ghana’s second-largest port, primarily serves the mining, oil, and gas industries. While it plays a crucial role in handling bulk cargo such as manganese, bauxite, and petroleum products, it has yet to fully evolve into a commercial container port. Unlike Tema, Lomé, and Abidjan, which handle high-volume transshipment trade, Takoradi has not been fully integrated into West Africa’s competitive container logistics network.
With the right investments in infrastructure, automation, and transshipment capabilities, Takoradi could become a key regional logistics hub. The port’s proximity to Ghana’s resource-rich Western Region makes it a prime candidate for expansion into shipbuilding, ship repairs, and specialized logistics for offshore energy projects. Modernizing Takoradi Port into a multi-functional maritime hub would reduce congestion at Tema and create new revenue streams for Ghana’s maritime sector.
Infrastructure gaps and the need for modernization
Despite significant investments in port infrastructure, Ghana still lags behind in automation and smart logistics systems, which are essential for competing in a 24-hour global economy. Ports in Singapore, Rotterdam, and Dubai have minimized human intervention, implementing AI-powered logistics, automated cranes, and blockchain-driven customs clearance to streamline operations and increase efficiency.
In Ghana, however, manual processing and limited digitization create delays and inefficiencies. Port congestion, lengthy clearance procedures, and inconsistent tracking systems affect Ghana’s ability to handle time-sensitive shipments, making it less attractive to international shipping lines. If Ghana is to compete with rising regional players such as Togo’s Lomé Port and Côte d’Ivoire’s Port of Abidjan, automating customs, upgrading digital tracking systems, and deploying AI-driven logistics must be prioritized.
Regional competition and the urgency for efficiency
West Africa is witnessing intense competition among ports, as countries race to capture transit trade from landlocked nations such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
- Togo’s Lomé Container Terminal (LCT) has rapidly positioned itself as one of the fastest-growing transshipment hubs in the region. With a deepwater port capable of accommodating ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) and faster clearance times, Lomé attracts significant transit trade, which otherwise could have passed through Ghana.
- Côte d’Ivoire’s Port of Abidjan, undergoing major expansions, has strengthened its regional dominance by increasing container capacity and upgrading logistics facilities.
- Nigeria’s Apapa and Lekki Ports are integrating modernized tracking systems and free trade zones, making them increasingly attractive to global shipping companies.
If Ghana does not enhance its port efficiency, strengthen security, and adopt 24-hour operations, it risks losing a substantial share of regional trade to its more aggressive competitors. Transit trade from landlocked neighbors is crucial, and Ghana must ensure that its ports offer the fastest, most cost-effective, and secure transit routes for international shippers.
Maritime security and emerging risks
Beyond economic competition, Ghana also faces significant maritime security threats. The country’s coastal waters remain vulnerable to piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and trafficking, all of which pose a threat to trade, investor confidence, and national security. The growing security risks in the Sahel region, particularly Togo’s increasing involvement in Sahel-based security initiatives, raise concerns about potential spillover effects into Ghana’s maritime domain. With terrorist networks and armed groups expanding their influence, the risk of disruptions in Ghana’s coastal trade routes is a real concern.
To mitigate these threats, Ghana must:
- Strengthen naval defenses and coastal surveillance using AI-driven monitoring systems.
- Invest in anti-piracy and rapid-response maritime units to protect shipping lanes.
- Enhance regional collaboration with Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Gulf of Guinea Commission to prevent maritime crime.
A safe, well-policed coastline will increase investor confidence and attract more international shipping lines to Ghana’s ports. Despite the challenges, Ghana’s coastal potential remains unmatched in West Africa. With the right investments in technology, security, automation, and policy reforms, Ghana can unlock the full economic benefits of its 539-kilometer coastline and become the dominant maritime hub in the region. The key question is: What strategic actions must Ghana take to transition into a fully operational, 24-hour maritime economy?
Strategic recommendations for Ghana – Building a world-class 24-hour port economy
To transform Ghana’s maritime industry into a fully operational 24-hour economic powerhouse, a multi-faceted approach is needed. This requires technological innovation, policy reforms, infrastructure expansion, security enhancement, and workforce development. The experiences of Singapore, Rotterdam, and Dubai offer a blueprint for Ghana to modernize its ports, boost trade efficiency, and solidify its regional dominance. One of the most critical areas for reform is port automation and digitalization.
Ghana must invest in smart port technology, including AI-driven logistics, blockchain-based customs clearance, and automated cargo handling systems. Ports like Rotterdam and Shanghai use Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, digital twin technology, and real-time tracking systems to eliminate paperwork delays and enhance cargo flow. Implementing such innovations at Tema and Takoradi would reduce human inefficiencies, accelerate processing times, and create a seamless logistics network.
Beyond automation, Ghana needs a major expansion in port infrastructure. While Tema Port has undergone upgrades, deepwater terminals capable of handling ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) are essential for attracting global shipping lines. Currently, Ghana loses a portion of its transshipment trade to Lomé (Togo) and Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) due to limitations in berthing capacity. Strategic port expansions, deeper draft channels, and specialized cargo terminals will position Ghana as a preferred West African maritime hub.
Policy reforms are another crucial factor in enabling a 24-hour economy. Singapore’s success is largely attributed to efficient regulatory frameworks that simplify customs processes and encourage private sector participation. Ghana’s customs clearance procedures must become fully digitized and transparent, eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks that cause shipment delays. Additionally, implementing competitive port tariffs, tax incentives for logistics companies, and streamlined trade policies will make Ghana more attractive to international shipping and freight companies.
Security remains an urgent priority. With the growing risks of piracy, smuggling, and geopolitical instability in West Africa, Ghana must strengthen coastal surveillance, maritime patrols, and cybersecurity measures for port operations. The increasing presence of Sahel-linked insurgencies in neighboring countries, including Togo’s growing security ties to the Sahel, raises red flags for port safety and supply chain disruptions. The government must invest in naval defenses, radar technology, and regional maritime cooperation to ensure Ghana’s coastline remains secure for trade and commerce.
Another often-overlooked aspect of a 24-hour port economy is workforce readiness. Operating non-stop, 365 days a year requires a highly skilled, well-trained workforce that can handle modern logistics systems and high-tech equipment. Singapore’s Maritime Academy, for instance, provides continuous professional training in port operations, cybersecurity, and maritime law. Ghana must revamp its maritime education sector, establishing specialized training programs to equip workers with the digital and technical expertise required for 24-hour port management.
Lastly, Ghana should explore the establishment of Free Trade Zones (FTZs) and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) around its ports. Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) has been a game-changer in attracting global logistics firms, e-commerce giants, and multinational corporations.
Creating tax-friendly, business-friendly zones within Tema and Takoradi ports will encourage foreign direct investment (FDI), drive industrialization, and transform Ghana into a regional shipping and manufacturing hub.
With these strategic interventions, Ghana’s ports can evolve into a world-class, 24-hour economic engine. However, regional competition and security challenges demand a proactive response. In the next section, we will examine how Ghana can position itself competitively against neighboring ports and navigate emerging security threats in the subregion.
>>>to be continued
>>>the writer is a Maritime & Port Expert | Artificial Consultant for AiAfrica Project| Senior Fellow, Center for International Maritime Affairs. He can be reached via [email protected]
