Tema Port has officially transitioned into a full 24-hour operation, enabling importers to clear goods at any hour—even at 2 a.m.—as part of President John Dramani Mahama’s flagship 24-hour economy programme.
Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, confirmed the rollout during an interview on PM Express Business Edition. He said the GRA, working in partnership with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and other state agencies, had fully embraced the initiative to boost industrialisation, job creation, and domestic tax revenue.
“So the 24h+ is one of the key flagship programmes that President John Mahama has launched,” Mr Sarpong explained. “At GRA, we see ourselves as a key constituent and partner in terms of the success of this programme. At the port, together with GPHA and other stakeholders, we have already embraced the 24-hour economy.”
While customs had previously operated round-the-clock, clearance was often delayed because other regulatory institutions were not available outside regular hours. These include the Ghana Standards Authority, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Mr Sarpong revealed that this challenge had now been addressed. “We’ve worked with them and positioned them such that all of these institutions are now hooked and automated into our Customs ICUMS platform. That way, every government institution is able to participate in port operations under the 24-hour regime.”
The GRA boss noted that the long-awaited single-window system at the port was closer to reality.
“We’ve ensured that agencies which were not previously within the one-window system have now been integrated. This allows us to fully implement the 24-hour operations at Tema Port.”
Responding to a question about whether an importer could physically clear goods at 2 a.m., he confirmed:
“Yes. Before the launch, customs and GPHA were trained for our readiness. We’ve also reinforced our men on the ground for the 24-hour projects. As we speak today, Tema Port is operating 24 hours in terms of clearance.”
Mr Sarpong disclosed that shipping lines and banks had also been brought into the framework to ensure seamless clearance. With online duty estimation and payment systems already in place, importers can calculate and pay duties before their goods arrive.
“You don’t need to walk to the port to pay. You can pay from your desk, even from the comfort of your home. The only thing left is the physical clearance, which we’ve now reinforced under the 24-hour operation,” he said.
Acknowledging that the rollout may face initial challenges, Mr Sarpong stressed that the president’s vision was already being implemented.
“Because GRA is a key component of the success of the 24-hour economy, we must ensure it facilitates trade and business activities. Obviously, for any new initiative there may be challenges, but the programme is already in full swing,” he assured.
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