President John Mahama has announced that the Tema and Takoradi ports will soon be declared 24-hour operational ports as part of the government's drive to transform Ghana into a major agricultural exporter.
Speaking at the opening of the Ghana Horticulture Expo 2025 in Accra on Wednesday, the President announced that the port directive forms part of his broader 24-hour economy initiative, which he said becomes operational on July 1st.
"I am pleased to inform you that the Ministry of Trade and Agriculture Business and Industry, together with the Ministry of Transport, are working in collaboration with the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the Ghana Shippers Council, and other key stakeholders to soon declare the Tema and Takoradi ports as 24-hour operational ports," he stated.
According to the President, the move targets Ghana’s ambitious export goals, with Mahama setting a target of $10 billion in non-traditional exports by 2026, up from the $3.5 billion achieved in 2024.
“This policy will provide a framework for consistent production, processes, and logistics in agriculture.
"It allows farmers and exporters to move swiftly from the field to international markets, minimising losses and maximising value,” he added.
The President used the platform to position Ghana as ready for international agricultural partnerships, moving beyond traditional aid relationships.
He told the gathering, which included representatives from the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, that “to our development partners, invest with us in infrastructure and skills, not as donors but as partners.”
The President outlined Ghana’s advantages in the global market, stating that “with year-round sunshine, fertile soils, and abundant water resources, Ghana is already a global leader in agricultural exports and a growing force in tropical fruits and vegetables.”
President Mahama called for a shift “from aid to trade, and from dependence to dominance in the export value chain,” adding that Ghana should capitalise on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement’s market of 1.4 billion people.
“To the world, Ghana is open for business, export-ready, and growing,” he said as he officially opened the expo.
According to the President, these announcements come as Ghana seeks to stabilise its currency through increased foreign exchange earnings from high-value agricultural exports, with ports operating around the clock serving as a key infrastructure component of this strategy.