Fuel delivery delays cost Ghana $60m in demurrage – CUTS Int’l

The West African Regional Director of CUTS International, Appiah Kusi Adomako, has called for urgent measures to address inefficiencies in Ghana’s logistics system, warning that delays at the country’s ports are imposing significant costs on businesses.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, Mr Adomako Kusi said about US$60 million was paid in demurrage to shipping lines last year as a result of delays in discharging finished fuel products at Ghana’s ports.

According to him, the delays often leave tankers and Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs) facing additional charges while they wait for vessels to discharge their cargo.

Last year close to about $60 million was paid as demurrage to shipping lines because of the delays it takes for these shipping vessels to be able to unload the finished products into the country.”

He said the logistics challenges are not limited to petroleum products, noting that similar delays affect the importation of clinker and other goods.

Mr Adomako Kusi also pointed to complaints from freight forwarders about delays in clearing cargo at the airport, describing the various challenges as part of broader inefficiencies within Ghana’s logistics chain.

The CUTS International regional director further identified the high cost of domestic air transport as another concern, arguing that it should be considered alongside other challenges affecting the movement of people and goods across the country.

He urged policymakers to treat logistics as an efficiency and engineering challenge and develop measures that can improve the movement of goods and services while reducing unnecessary costs.

According to him, improving Ghana’s logistics infrastructure and processes could help businesses reduce avoidable expenditure and enhance productivity.

He warned that failure to address existing inefficiencies would continue to impose additional costs on businesses without delivering corresponding benefits to the wider economy.

Mr Adomako Kusi therefore called for a broader review of Ghana’s logistics systems, including port operations, cargo clearance and domestic transportation, to improve efficiency and reduce the cost of doing business.