Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the Tema and Takoradi Ports will soon transition to 24-hour operations, aligning with the Government's overarching plan to implement a 24-Hour Economy. This development is a significant part of the government's strategy to enhance national economic efficiency and scale.
According to Ghana News Agency, the President disclosed this initiative during the formal opening of the Ghana Horticulture Expo in Accra. The event, organized by the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE), spans three days and is themed 'Innovate, Transform, Sustain: Driving Growth in Ghana's Horticultural Sector.' President Mahama indicated that the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, and the Ministry of Transport are collaborating with the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the Ghana Shippers' Council, and other stakeholders to actualize this plan.
President Mahama emphasized that the shift to 24-hour port operations is not merely about extending working hours but is also about developing infrastructure, energy, security, transport, and digital platforms necessary for continuous agro-industrial activities. He further announced that the 24-Hour Initiative Policy is set to launch on July 1st, providing a framework for ongoing production, processing, and logistics in the horticulture sector.
He highlighted the policy's potential to expedite the movement of fresh produce such as pineapples, mangoes, chilies, and herbs from farms to ports and eventually to international markets, thereby reducing losses and enhancing value. President Mahama assured FAGE of his full support and stressed the importance of starting transformative development efforts from the grassroots level, particularly from farms and greenhouses across Ghana.
The President articulated a vision of economic renewal that is productive, equitable, and sustainable, where agriculture, particularly horticulture, plays a central role. He noted Ghana's existing strengths in yam exports and growing influence in tropical fruits and vegetables, but emphasized the need to translate potential into performance and results.
He called for a transition from smallholder survival to value addition, international competitiveness, and youth-driven enterprise. President Mahama underscored the importance of addressing challenges faced by farmers, such as lack of access to cold storage and fair markets, and emphasized the moral imperative of supporting those who sustain the nation.
In line with this commitment, President Mahama reaffirmed the Government's flagship programme, Feed Ghana, scheduled from 2025 to 2028, which is part of the broader Agriculture for Economic Transformation agenda. The programme aims to tackle rural unemployment, food insecurity, and dependency on imports, with initiatives like the Vegetable Development Project, Smart Agriculture and Farmer Support Centers, Agri-Industrial Zones and Cold Chain Infrastructure, and Agribusiness Youth Clinics.
These policy interventions are designed to make Ghana's horticultural sector investment-ready, inclusive, and globally competitive, he stated. Dr. Prince Kofi Kludjeson, Executive Chairperson of Celltel Networkks Limited, highlighted the importance of leveraging technology in smart farming to enhance agricultural efficiency and productivity in Ghana. Mr. Davis Narh Korboe, President of FAGE, expressed gratitude to President Mahama for his commitment to promoting the nation's export sector.
