The government is pursuing the development of a coastal water transport system as part of efforts to promote safer, greener and sustainable mass transportation along Ghana’s coastline, Deputy Minister for Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has announced.
According to her, the project forms part of the national transport policy objective aimed at expanding alternative transportation systems while improving connectivity across coastal communities and neighbouring countries.
Speaking at the 7th edition of the Africa Ports Forum 2026 in Accra, Madam Affo-Toffey disclosed that the solicitation processes for the selection of a consultant to undertake a feasibility study for the project were almost complete.
“The government intends to develop a coastal water transport system along the coast of our country in line with the national transport policy objective to promote alternative sustainable mass transportation systems,” she stated.
The forum formed part of broader discussions around Ghana’s vision for developing its ports and maritime sector.
Madam Affo-Toffey, who is also the Member of Parliament for Jomoro Constituency in the Western Region, said the government under President John Dramani Mahama was committed to positioning Ghana as “the leading, most efficient, secure and sustainable maritime logistics hub in West Africa.”
“When we look out at the Gulf of Guinea, we do not just see water; we see the lifeblood of our national economy,” she said, noting that more than 90 per cent of Ghana’s international trade moves by sea.
She explained that government’s maritime agenda was centred on structural modernisation, cost reduction, enhanced security and the sustainable development of Ghana’s Blue Economy.
The Deputy Minister highlighted the Tema Port Expansion Project as one of the key milestones under the government’s maritime infrastructure drive, describing it as a strategic partnership between Meridian Port Services and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.
According to her, the expansion has significantly reduced vessel turnaround times and increased container throughput at the Tema Port.
She further indicated that the Takoradi Port was also being developed into a major oil and gas services hub and bulk cargo terminal to support efficient handling of Ghana’s natural resource exports.
Madam Affo-Toffey said the government was also moving towards the rollout of a structured coastal marine transport service linking Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria through partnerships with the private sector.
Touching on the government’s 24-hour economy policy, she said the Port Authority had fully rolled out a 24-hour operational model to support trade facilitation.
“Since trade does not sleep, neither should our gateways,” she stated.
The Deputy Minister also reaffirmed government’s commitment to completing the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal (BILT) project in Kumasi, describing it as an important economic catalyst that would bring port services closer to northern Ghana and strengthen Ghana’s role as a transit corridor for Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
On digitalisation, Madam Affo-Toffey said Ghana was deploying advanced AI-driven customs and risk assessment systems to improve efficiency and reduce corruption at the ports.
She noted that government was engaging freight forwarders, clearing agents and the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations to address implementation challenges associated with the transition.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted Ghana’s progress in maritime security, disclosing that the country had achieved 100 per cent compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.
She added that Ghana had upgraded its Vessel Traffic Management System to monitor activities up to 200 nautical miles offshore while deploying patrol and rescue boats to protect inland waterways and local fishermen.
On environmental sustainability, Madam Affo-Toffey said Ghana was aligning its maritime agenda with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting green shipping corridors, tackling marine plastic pollution and exploring investments in cleaner alternative fuels.
