The government is pushing for reforms to ensure the faster movement of goods in Ghana as part of efforts to improve trade efficiency and reduce the cost of doing business.
Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi, made the call at the opening of the first quarter meeting of the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) held at the Sogakope Beach Resort on March 9, 2026.
According to him, persistent bottlenecks at ports, borders and within the goods clearance process continue to delay shipments, placing financial pressure on businesses and ultimately affecting consumers.
Delays raise costs for businesses
Mr Ahi explained that importers, exporters and manufacturers are among the most affected by delays within the trading system.
He noted that importers often incur additional charges due to slow clearance procedures, while exporters risk losing valuable market opportunities when shipments are delayed.
“For traders dealing in perishable goods, delay is not an inconvenience to be managed later. It is a direct threat to income, market access, and business survival.” - Hon. Sampson Ahi, Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry.
The Deputy Minister added that manufacturers who rely on imported inputs also face disruptions when goods are delayed at entry points.
Strengthening trade systems
The National Trade Facilitation Committee brings together representatives from government agencies, the private sector and development partners to address challenges affecting Ghana’s trade environment.
The committee forms part of Ghana’s obligations under the World Trade Organisation Trade Facilitation Agreement, which requires member countries to establish a national body to coordinate reforms aimed at improving trade procedures.
Mr Ahi acknowledged that although some progress has been made in improving coordination among institutions, delays and duplication still exist within certain parts of the clearance system.
“The business community does not judge government only by the policies we announce.
“It is judged by how our systems behave — the time it takes to clear goods and the predictability of procedures.” - Hon. Sampson Ahi Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry
Focus on perishable goods and regional trade.
The Deputy Minister indicated that the committee will prioritise measures to improve the movement of perishable goods such as fresh produce, fish and meat, which are particularly vulnerable to delays.
Also addressing the meeting, Program Manager for West Africa and AfCFTA at TradeMark Africa, Kwamina Ekremet, highlighted the importance of efficient trade systems in enhancing Ghana’s competitiveness.
He explained that improved trade facilitation reduces transaction costs, strengthens transparency and enables countries to participate more effectively in regional and global markets.
Mr Ekremet reaffirmed TradeMark Africa’s commitment to supporting Ghana in implementing reforms that will streamline procedures, improve coordination among border agencies and facilitate the faster movement of goods across the country’s trading corridors.
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