Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has revealed that corruption at Ghana’s seaports results in a staggering revenue loss of approximately $8.3 million every month. This financial drain totals nearly $100 million annually, largely driven by dishonest importers and complicit officials who deliberately misdeclare container contents to evade duties.
While the Port Paperless System (PPS) introduced in 2017 has significantly reduced bureaucracy and improved transparency at the Tema and Takoradi ports, the Vice President emphasized that rogue practices continue to undermine the system.
In a speech delivered by the Minister of Public Enterprises, Joseph Cudjoe, at a maritime workshop in Accra, Dr. Bawumia called for stronger collaboration across the continent to formalize anti-bribery measures.
He noted that achieving a fully corruption-free environment is essential for ensuring that all stakeholders comply with both national and international laws. This push for integrity is echoed by maritime stakeholders who fear that persistent corruption could stifle the potential benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The international community, led by partners like Denmark, is also playing a role in sanitizing the sector. Danish Ambassador Tom Norring highlighted that Denmark is actively assisting West African nations in building more robust and efficient shipping industries by sharing technology and transparency protocols.
Given that Tema Port alone handles 70% of Ghana’s seaborne trade, experts agree that eliminating these illicit financial leaks is vital for the country’s economic stability and its ability to lead within the regional trade landscape.
