Tema and Takoradi Ports to run 24/7 starting July 1
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana’s two major seaports—Tema and Takoradi—will begin operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week starting July 1, 2025. The move marks a significant step in the official rollout of the government’s flagship 24-hour economy initiative.
President Mahama made the announcement yesterday, June 11, 2025, during the opening ceremony of the Ghana Horticulture Expo at the Accra International Conference Centre.
According to the President, the decision to keep the ports running around the clock is part of a broader strategy to enhance Ghana’s export capacity, improve trade efficiency, and generate increased national revenue. He described the ports as crucial entry and exit points for Ghana’s international trade and said optimizing their operations would have a transformative impact on the economy.
“The Tema and Takoradi ports will operate 24/7 from July 1, 2025, as part of our commitment to a functioning 24-hour economy. This is a deliberate push to strengthen our export competitiveness, reduce congestion at the ports, and ultimately boost government revenue,” he stated.
He explained that by extending working hours at the ports, Ghanaian exporters would be able to ship goods more efficiently, reducing delays and minimizing costs associated with warehousing and demurrage. The initiative is also expected to enhance Ghana’s appeal as a logistics and trade hub in the West African sub-region.
President Mahama reiterated that the 24-hour economy policy is not just a slogan but a structured approach to revitalizing key sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and trade.
“We are building a new economic model, one that is inclusive, productive, and responsive to the demands of a modern, globally connected market,” he added.
He further called for stakeholder collaboration to ensure smooth implementation of the new policy. He urged government agencies, private sector players, and labor unions to embrace the reform and work together to achieve its objectives.
The Ghana Horticulture Expo brought together players from the agriculture, agribusiness, logistics, and export sectors to showcase investment opportunities and innovations within the horticulture value chain. The event also served as a platform to discuss policies aimed at positioning Ghana as a key exporter of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants.
The 24-hour economy initiative, one of the key policy proposals of the Mahama administration, aims to expand employment opportunities, increase productivity, and improve service delivery by encouraging continuous operations in strategic sectors of the economy.
