Find Freight, Shipping and Logistics expertise in Ghana
Freight and carriage of goods and cargo takes place to, from and within Ghana via air and land, including rail and water. Road transport is the predominant mode of transport in Ghana, accounting for 94% of freight traffic movements. The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority is responsible for the governance, maintenance and operation of the ports of Ghana. The two main ports of Tema and Takoradi have seen a growth in trade as Ghana has attempted to become the primary base for international trade and investment in the region. The Port of Tema has 12 berths on two quays and 70% of cargo is handled by private stevedoring companies. The Port of Takoradi has six berths and there are nine freight forwarders operating in Ghana (2012).
Freight service on a 953 km rail network in Ghana is managed by the Ghana Rail Company, however only 2% of freight transportation was handled by railways in 2011. Rivers provide 168 km of perennial navigation; Lake Volta provides 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterway. The Volta Lake Transport Company Limited is the primary transport service provider on the major inland water body of Lake Volta. Based on trade statistics most goods to Ghana come from the EU, China, Nigeria, the United States and Ivory Coast and most goods are shipped to the EU, the United States, Ukraine, Turkey and India (2010).
There are more than 50 air freight and logistics companies, with major global logistics firms, such as DHL, UPS and FedEx all present in Ghana. FedEx operates through a local company called Integrated Air Services and UPS works through Antrak Express Ltd. The professional body of freight forwarders is the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders. Freight forwarders should register with the Customs Excise and Prevention Service.
Ghana is ranked 117th in the International Logistics Performance Index with a score of 2.47. This is 0.05 above the average Sub-Saharan African score of 2.4. Ghana is ranked 19th among Sub-Saharan African countries. Each country is scored from one to five, with one being the worst performance in terms of logistics, infrastructure and customs, amongst other categories.
The Ministry of Transport oversees the sector and was established in January 2009 by combining the Ministries of Aviation, Harbours and Railways, and the Road Transport Services.
