#ghanalogistics

By EUGENIA EYRAM OPEKU

In logistics, things move fast. Containers shift ports, trucks hit the road, documents get signed, and deliveries (hopefully) arrive on time. But beneath all that motion lies something quieter, less visible—and just as important: metrics.

We call them KPIs—Key Performance Indicators. Not the most thrilling name, I admit. But if you’re trying to figure out whether a logistics partner is actually doing a good job, KPIs are where the truth lives.

At PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED, based in Ghana, we’ve been refining our KPIs over the years—not to impress, but to improve. Because if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. And in this business, what gets measured gets better.

So, what exactly do we track? And more importantly—why?

1. On-Time Delivery Rate (OTD)

Let’s start with the obvious. Did the cargo arrive when we said it would?

At first glance, this seems simple. But in practice, calculating OTD means accounting for:

Port delays

Customs clearance timing

Vehicle breakdowns

Border congestion

Weather (yes, Ghana’s rainy season still finds ways to surprise us)

We track on-time delivery as a percentage across different routes and services. If that number dips, we don’t just shrug—we investigate. What changed? Was it a systemic issue or a one-off?

Over the past year, our average OTD has hovered above 94%. Not perfect, but pretty solid—especially considering the variables outside anyone’s control.

2. Customs Clearance Time

This one’s big—especially for our clients importing through Tema or exporting to neighboring countries like Togo and Burkina Faso.

Delays at customs can wipe out even the best logistics planning. That’s why we track:

Average clearance duration (in hours)

Percentage of shipments cleared within 48 hours

Frequency of documentation issues flagged

We also keep tabs on pre-clearance submissions. If a client sends documents too late, that’s a risk. So we use that data to recommend cutoff timelines—not to nag, but to help them avoid demurrage.

3. Container Dwell Time at Port

Every extra day a container sits at the port costs money. Storage charges, handling fees—it adds up quickly.

We track how long containers stay between:

Discharge from vessel

Final pickup or delivery

Our internal goal is to keep this below 3.5 days on average. Of course, sometimes the delay is on the client’s end, or due to red flags during inspection. But tracking dwell time lets us see patterns, and address repeat bottlenecks before they escalate.

4. Vehicle Uptime and Fleet Availability

Here’s something people don’t usually ask about—but probably should: How many of your trucks are road-ready right now?

We track:

Percentage of fleet available daily

Unscheduled breakdowns per 1,000 km

Maintenance turnaround time

Why? Because our clients rely on those trucks to move goods inland—Accra to Kumasi, Tema to Tamale, and sometimes across borders to Ouagadougou. If a vehicle is down, service is delayed. Period.

Thanks to a proactive maintenance plan, our fleet availability stays above 96%, even during peak seasons. (But that one stubborn trailer axle in April? Still haunts us.)

5. Customer Satisfaction and Issue Resolution

Okay, this one’s trickier to measure. But it matters just as much.

We run periodic feedback surveys and issue logs, tracking:

Number of complaints per 100 shipments

Time to resolve client-reported issues

Repeat complaints by category

If someone says, “This is the third time our packing list had errors,” that’s a signal. We don’t always get it right the first time, but we try hard to get it right the next.

Why This Matters

Clients don’t always ask about KPIs. Some just want to know: “Will my goods arrive safely?” And that’s fair.

But behind every smooth shipment is a pile of numbers—quiet indicators that help us identify problems before they become disruptions.

And as PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED prepares for the 2025 Go Global Awards in London this November—hosted by the International Trade Council—we’re reflecting on the systems that got us here.

This isn’t just a ceremony. It’s a gathering of people who think deeply about performance, partnerships, and how we all deliver value in a rapidly changing trade landscape. For us, sharing our KPI journey is part of that dialogue. Because improvement is a shared effort.

Final Thought

KPIs aren’t just about data. They’re about discipline. About being honest with yourself when something’s off, and curious enough to ask why.

At PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED, we don’t track metrics for the sake of it. We track them so that our clients—whether SMEs or multinationals—can trust that we’re paying attention.

By Jonathan Ainoo

It’s one thing to provide a vehicle rental service. It’s another to make sure those vehicles don’t become liabilities. At JOBEX COMPANY LTD, based in Ghana, vehicle rental is more than handing over keys and collecting them later. Especially in the environments we operate in—mining zones, remote construction sites, cross-country movement—there’s too much at stake to leave safety to chance.

In our early years, we focused mostly on logistics and supply chain. But as more clients began asking us to support field mobility, we expanded our fleet and quickly realized: this was a responsibility, not a side offering.

So how do we approach safety? Not with a single checklist, but with a layered system—one that starts before the engine even turns.

Let’s walk through how we keep drivers, clients, and cargo safe.

1. Pre‑Dispatch Vehicle Checks: Every Single Time

We don’t skip this. Every vehicle, before every trip, gets a pre-dispatch inspection. Tyres, brakes, fluid levels, lights, horn, mirrors, seatbelts—everything. It doesn’t matter if the car was parked just overnight or for a week.

You’d be surprised how often something small turns up: a wiper blade that's loosened, a low-pressure tyre, or a cracked taillight. These things escalate fast in remote areas.

We have our own internal form for these checks. Nothing fancy, but thorough. And we require that it be physically signed off—no verbal shortcuts.

2. Driver Vetting and Behaviour Monitoring

A well-maintained vehicle means nothing if the driver behind the wheel isn’t focused or skilled.

At JOBEX, our drivers go through vetting beyond license checks. We look at driving history, response to emergency scenarios, and—maybe most importantly—attitude. We’d rather wait a day to assign the right driver than risk rushing someone into a vehicle who doesn’t respect protocols.

And yes, we track behavior during trips. Speeding, hard braking, aggressive acceleration—it all gets logged with our GPS monitoring. Not because we don’t trust our drivers, but because accountability builds better habits.

We had a case in 2022 where excessive idling was draining fuel across a particular route. Once we started tracking and sharing data, idling dropped by 60% in two months. Simple data, smart coaching, real results.

3. Passenger Safety First

Our vehicles are fitted with essentials: reflective vests, basic first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, spare tyres, working jacks. If you’re heading to a mining site or through forest roads, that kit can be the difference between an inconvenience and an emergency.

We also insist on seatbelt use. Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised. On longer trips especially, passengers tend to get relaxed. Our drivers are trained to remind everyone: “seatbelt first.” Every time.

4. Route Planning and Communication

This is where many rental services go silent. At JOBEX, we don't just send vehicles—we plan the route.

If the destination is remote, we look at weather forecasts, road conditions, fuel station intervals, and mobile network coverage. We make sure our drivers know the route. If possible, we also contact someone at the receiving location to confirm readiness.

This is especially important for deliveries to mining camps or construction zones. Some roads may be impassable after rains. Others may pass through areas with weak signal. We plan for that.

And we check in—regularly.

5. When the Unexpected Happens

No system is foolproof. Breakdowns happen. Delays occur. But it’s the response that matters.

In 2023, one of our Hilux pickups got stuck in a flooded patch in the Upper West Region. No injuries, but the vehicle was immobile. Our backup protocol kicked in—our local contact sent assistance, and we arranged a replacement vehicle from the nearest depot. The original vehicle was recovered the next day.

That client still works with us. Not because we avoided trouble—but because we handled it with transparency and urgency.

Why It All Matters

We take safety seriously not just because it’s good practice, but because it's part of how we show respect—to clients, to our team, and to the communities we work in.

Maybe that’s part of the reason JOBEX COMPANY LTD has been nominated for the 2025 Go Global Awards, hosted by the International Trade Council this November in London. It’s not just an honor—it’s a convergence of businesses that care about how things get done, not just what gets done.

We’re proud to be counted among them.

In Closing

Vehicle rental might seem like a basic service. But done right, it supports entire projects. Done carelessly, it risks lives.

By Richmond Kofi Adjapong

Standing at the edge of Tema Port’s quay wall, you realise it’s far more than a maritime terminal. It’s a gateway—one that lies at the heart of a continent’s trade ambitions. Ghana, through Tema, is transforming from a national logistics hub to a regional trade nexus linking West Africa to global markets.

At Rich Freight Services Ltd, based just a few kilometres away, we see firsthand how this transformation is taking shape. It isn’t just about ships and containers; it’s about connectivity, investment, partnerships, and—most critically—vision.

1. A Deep-Sea Port with Deeper Reach

Tema Port has come a long way since opening in 1962. What began as Ghana’s primary seaport has evolved into a deep-water facility capable of accommodating post-Panamax vessels. That means bigger ships. Better economies of scale. More global lines calling with every container load. And yes, those bigger ships are bringing more connectivity—and lower per-unit costs—to exporters across the region.

2. Gateway to Landlocked Neighbours

Ghana is no longer serving just its own domestic trade. Through Tema, goods destined for Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and even parts of Côte d’Ivoire transit our trucking corridors daily. Paperwork is processed. Customs protocols are clarified. Bridges cross borders. In effect, Ghana is operating as a regional logistics backbone. And private-sector logistics partners—including us at RFS—are working hard to keep those corridors efficient, coordinated, and resilient.

3. Multimodal Integration—Sea, Road, Rail Tomorrow?

Efforts are underway to integrate the port with inland infrastructure. Road connections are being upgraded. Plans for rail extensions—to Tema's inland container depot in Kumasi—are gaining momentum. Those multimodal synergies aren’t theoretical; they’re being negotiated in real time by industry, government, and investors. When shipping containers move seamlessly between ship, train, and truck, Africa’s trade potential finally begins to approach its true scale.

4. Consolidation, Warehousing & Value Chains

For many smaller exporters—farmers, artisans, MSMEs—access to regional markets depends on scale. That’s where consolidation and bonded warehousing play a role. Tema has become a hub for refrigerated, bulk, and cross-border warehousing facilities. At Rich Freight Services Ltd, our bonded warehouse sits near the port, primed to support exporters and importers. Whether it’s share-space solutions for SMEs or cross-docking for shipments bound onward, we’re adding value to the port’s reach.

5. Digital Systems Enhancing Port Efficiency

Digital logistics platforms—pre-arrival declarations, e-Carnet trade documentation, vessel scheduling—are being continually refined at Tema. These improvements reduce dwell time, speed clearance, and provide service visibility. The downstream impact? Trucks turn faster, transshipment delays fall, and inland customers benefit. For regional trade to scale, digital systems must work—and they increasingly do.

6. Private Sector and Public Sector Synergy

The acceleration at Tema isn’t just brought by cranes and cargo. It’s brought by partnership. Government agencies are rethinking trade corridors; regional economic communities like ECOWAS are aligning standards; private partners like us at RFS are investing in trackable truck fleets and brokers. The 2025 Go Global Awards in London—hosted by the International Trade Council—will bring us into that wider conversation. Because when government, business, and peers converge, we collectively learn—and evolve.

7. The Ripple Effect Across Africa

It’s easy to see Tema’s improvement as a local or national project. But ports don’t work in isolation. As Tema grows, it raises competition—and benchmarks—for Lagos, Abidjan, Douala, and even Mombasa. It creates opportunities for shippers, carriers, and logistics enablers across borders to upgrade their systems. It positions West Africa to tap global trade flows with stronger frequency, reliability, and efficiency.

8. Challenges Remain—but Momentum Is Growing

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Road congestion near Tema, the need for inland rail upgrades, and administrative bottlenecks at borders still cause delays. Currency volatility and geopolitical pressure can complicate regional trade. But when I look at what’s happening—new cranes, private leasing, logistics park expansion—I see momentum. And momentum is a signal that things are shifting upward.

Why It Matters for Ghanaian Exporters & African Integration

For Ghanaian exporters, the message is powerful: you’re not just exporting from Ghana. You’re exporting from Africa. Your route to Burkina Faso, Mali, or Niger isn’t secondary—it’s central. You can access trade corridors, seized investments, and inbound equipment more affordably and reliably.

That’s why as Rich Freight Services Ltd gears up for the Go Global Awards in November, we’re carrying stories—port maps, inland route solutions, regional cargo examples—that show: Tema isn’t just Ghana’s port. It’s Africa’s gateway in action.

Final Thought

Ports can be static geography. Or they can be engines of connectivity. At Tema, we’re seeing the latter. Ghana’s investment and public-private effort are making it real. And as an African logistics partner, I’m proud to stand in that stream—supporting trade, jobs, and connectivity across the continent.

By Richmond Kofi Adjapong

Shipping goods by air—whether via regular commercial flights or bespoke charters—is a powerful tool for fast global logistics. But deciding between air-charter and standard air freight isn’t always straightforward. It’s a question we field often at Rich Freight Services Ltd in Ghana: “Which one works for our shipment?” The answer, as it often is in logistics, depends on trade-offs like timing, cost, flexibility—and sometimes, just how unusual your cargo is.

Let’s unpack the differences, and maybe help you figure what fits when speed, complexity, or scale matter.

Understanding the Basics

Standard Air Freight operates on scheduled airlines. You book a space—called cargo “capacity”—on a commercial flight. It’s relatively predictable, cost-effective (per kilo), and efficient for routine volumes.

Air Charter, by contrast, means renting the entire plane. You call in a flight, and it flies where and when you need—no fixed schedule, no other cargo. It costs more, but gives you control.

Network access? Commercial flights are tied to airline hubs and flight routes. Charters can reach remote airports that regular carriers don’t serve. That difference matters depending on where your goods need to go.

1. Speed vs Cost

The allure of air charter is obvious: total control and timing. Need a delivery in 24 hours? We’ve done it. Need an unusual routing? Charter it. But charter rates can be 3–5 times higher than standard cargo rates (not surprisingly, since you’re renting an entire aircraft). That might make sense for high-value, time‑sensitive cargo—like critical medical equipment or production line downtime parts—but not for regular exports.

For goods without that urgency, standard freight hits a balance: high, but predictable cost—and solid transit times. Even with transit route changes or slight delays, it’s usually within the client’s tolerance.

2. Flexibility and Routing

Consider your destination. Major international hubs like London, Dubai, or Johannesburg are well served by commercial air freight. But if your cargo needs to reach a smaller airport—say, Kumasi or Kumasi-Victoria Falls Charter Field—charter is often the only viable option.

It’s not just about airports. Cargo length, weight, special handling—all factor in. Oversized freight may violate airline size restrictions. Charter aircraft can be reconfigured to accommodate custom pallet setups or crane operations at remote airstrips.

3. Cargo Nature and Urgency

Standard air freighters handle most commodities well—electronics, textiles, garments, general cargo. If it’s urgent and time-sensitive—like medical supplies, perishables, prototypes—charter is usually worth it. You’re guaranteeing the hold, the timing, and temperature controls.

For instance, we recently chartered a flight to transport emergency medical supplies from Accra to Freetown during a public health alert. The client saved lives. For that mission, charter was the only good option.

4. Simplicity vs Complexity

Commercial air freight is simpler: we coordinate with airlines, book space, create airway bills, and get the cargo on the next available flight. The systems are scalable, and schedules are regular.

Charter logistics? That involves more stakeholders: flight coordinators, specialized handlers, ground crews, airspace coordination. It can feel like launching a mission. But when standard routes don’t work, you need that level of control.

5. Risk Management

With standard air freight, you share risks—delays may affect your cargo alongside others. Capacity may be limited during peak seasons. But costs are dispersed across many users.

Charter means all the risk lands with you. If the flight diverts mid-route, or you need to reschedule, it's on you—and your charter provider. On the upside, the speed and exclusivity often offset that risk for the right cargo.

How We Decide at RFS

We’ve built a decision framework for clients:

Is it time-critical or high-value? → Charter

Is the destination non-hub or remote? → Charter

Is it standard cargo with reasonable lead time? → Standard

Are budgets tight, but time flexible? → Standard

We crunch numbers and provide comparative quotes: transit time, cost per kilo, door-to-door timelines. Then we help clients decide—because sometimes, clarity beats demurration fees.

Bringing It All Together

Air freight isn’t one-size-fits-all. For many, standard air cargo is fast and reliable enough. But when speed or complexity becomes mission-critical—emergency parts, remote airports, irregular loads—air charter becomes the obvious answer.

Two strategies. Two rhythms. One goal: get your goods where they matter—when they matter.

And whether it’s hauling standard pallets or chartering a whole aircraft, Rich Freight Services Ltd has the people, global partners, and operational experience—especially here in Ghana—to make it happen. We’re not just moving goods. We’re moving possibilities.

Headed to London With Questions

By Richmond Kofi Adjapong

When the email came in, I had to read it twice. Maybe three times, actually. It was one of those moments that sneaks up on you—not flashy, not loud—but meaningful in a way that takes a second to sink in.

Rich Freight Services Ltd, the company we’ve built from the ground up here in Ghana, had been nominated for the 2025 Go Global Awards. It’s the kind of recognition that, on paper, might look like just another badge. But to us, it felt personal. It felt like a milestone worth pausing for.

Because, if I’m honest, most days in logistics aren’t headline-worthy. They’re filled with planning and double-checking. Re-routing and re-negotiating. Solving problems no one sees and celebrating victories that rarely make noise. So when someone notices—especially on a global stage—it hits differently.

More Than an Award

Now, let’s be clear: this isn’t just about trophies or speeches. The Go Global Awards, hosted by the International Trade Council, aren’t some back-patting ceremony. They’re something else entirely.

They’re a gathering—a convergence, if you will—of businesses that are navigating today’s unpredictable, interconnected world. The event brings together industry leaders from every corner of the globe. Not just to be recognized, but to collaborate. To share hard-earned lessons. To form connections that might just change how we trade, ship, build, and grow.

When we step into that room in London on November 18–19, we’re not just representing Rich Freight Services Ltd. We’re representing Ghana. West Africa. Every local exporter who dreams of global reach. Every SME pushing to compete internationally. That’s weighty—but it’s also something we carry with pride.

Where We Started

Our journey hasn’t been glamorous. We didn’t begin with fancy systems or massive clients. We started with a small team, one or two containers a month, and an ambition to offer freight services that were not only reliable but honest.

Over the years, we’ve grown. We’ve built out our Tema warehouse. Expanded our service offerings—air, sea, road. Handled complex project cargo. Managed shipments to every continent except Antarctica (still on our bucket list, oddly enough). We’ve adapted to port delays, currency shifts, new customs protocols. We’ve hired, trained, re-trained.

And through all of it, we’ve kept a simple mantra: if you’re moving freight with us, it should feel like someone’s paying attention. Because we are.

The Meaning Behind the Nomination

This nomination doesn’t mean we’ve “made it.” Honestly, it’s not even about us, fully. It’s about recognizing that small and medium-sized companies like ours—especially those from developing markets—belong in the global conversation.

It says that excellence isn’t reserved for companies in major capitals with massive resources. That operational discipline, client service, and local expertise matter. That if you’re willing to show up every day, deliver consistently, and learn as you go, someone might just notice.

This is about visibility. It’s about Ghana having a seat at the table where trade and logistics futures are being discussed. And we’re proud to be part of that.

What We’re Looking Forward To

We’re not going to London just to clap politely and take selfies (though, sure, we’ll take a few). We’re going to connect. To learn. To see how others are responding to the same challenges we face: port congestion, digitization, shifting regulations, sustainability pressures.

We want to understand how logistics companies in Vietnam, Brazil, or Poland are navigating similar terrain. What tools they’re using. What mistakes they’ve made. What wins they’ve celebrated.

That kind of exchange—peer to peer, company to company, across borders—is what makes the Go Global Awards powerful. It’s not just a summit. It’s a mirror, and a map.

A Thank You, and a Nod to What’s Next

To our team at Rich Freight Services Ltd: this nomination is yours. Every late-night customs call, every container rerouted on a Sunday, every carefully packed shipment—you made this possible.

To our clients: thank you for trusting us with your goods, your timelines, your expectations. We don’t take it lightly.

And to the International Trade Council: thank you for recognizing companies like ours. Ones that don’t always make the headlines, but keep the world moving.

We’ll be in London this November—not just as nominees, but as representatives of what’s possible when commitment meets opportunity. And we’ll be bringing stories. Real ones. From warehouses and borders and airfields. Stories of the people behind the paperwork. The humans behind the freight.

By Gloria Sewor

Let’s be honest—no one gets excited about customs paperwork.

It’s one of those things everyone knows is important, but no one really wants to deal with. And yet, buried inside that pile of forms, codes, and signatures are some of the biggest risks a business can face in global trade.

Get it right, and your shipment moves like clockwork. Get it wrong, and you’re staring at delays, penalties, inspections—or worse, seizure.

At PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED, we’ve seen both sides. The flawless clears. And the ones that could’ve been avoided, if just one detail had been caught earlier. That’s why, over the years, we’ve developed an approach to customs clearance that isn’t just about speed. It’s about risk management.

Because logistics is more than movement. It’s decision-making under uncertainty.

Where the Risk Really Lives

Most people think risk in logistics is about damaged cargo or missed delivery dates. But a surprising amount of risk hides in the paperwork:

Misclassified goods (wrong HS codes)

Incomplete or inconsistent invoices

Missing permits or licenses

Incorrect declared values

Poorly described packaging

Non-alignment with the latest regulations

Sometimes, these are honest mistakes. A client may not know that a simple misstep—like putting “cosmetics” instead of “plant-based skin cream with essential oils”—can trigger a customs query. Other times, it’s outdated templates or reused documents from past shipments that don’t reflect new rules.

We once helped a small tech importer who’d misclassified a shipment of smart meters. Customs flagged it for “telecommunication equipment,” which requires a permit from a different agency. That small mismatch cost him a two-week delay and storage fees. It could’ve been worse.

The Invisible Costs of Clearance Errors

People assume delays are the worst outcome. But the real damage often comes later:

Demurrage charges pile up

Storage costs eat into margins

Customer trust erodes after missed timelines

And in extreme cases, compliance violations can harm your business record

Risk management in customs isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about being prepared.

Building a Risk-Smart Documentation Process

Here’s how we approach it at PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED:

Pre-Check Every Document Before submission, every form, invoice, and code goes through a compliance review. Sometimes we catch small typos; other times, we flag big mismatches.

Stay Updated on Regulation Changes Ghana’s customs system (ICUMS) evolves. So do regional agreements and international standards. We subscribe to updates, yes—but more importantly, we test assumptions with real-time examples.

Ask Clients the Right Questions Not every exporter knows the exact HS code of their product. That’s okay. Our job is to translate the product into the correct customs language, without under- or over-declaring.

Cross-Verify with Logistics Data Cargo weight, volume, type, and declared value should all align logically. If something looks off, it usually is.

Create a Paper Trail Every declaration, payment, inspection report—archived. You never know when you’ll need to demonstrate what was done and when.

Human Error Still Happens

Even with systems in place, mistakes can happen. A last-minute invoice update that doesn’t make it to the clearance file. A shipment split into two lots without updating the manifest. It's not about perfection. It’s about catching the mistake before it snowballs.

That’s why having an experienced customs team matters. We don’t just submit documents. We interpret them, question them, and yes—sometimes challenge them.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

With trade volumes growing, customs systems in Ghana and across West Africa are becoming more digitized—and more strict. Automation speeds up processes, but it also flags inconsistencies faster. That’s good, in the long run. But it raises the bar for compliance.

We’ve worked with clients who were used to “getting away” with vague declarations. That world is disappearing. Risk management is now the cost of entry, not an optional extra.

Proud to Be Part of a Larger Conversation

This year, PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED, based in Ghana, is proud to be a nominee for the 2025 Go Global Awards, hosted by the International Trade Council in London this November.

For us, the nomination isn’t about prestige—it’s about perspective. The event brings together the world’s most adaptive companies, and it reminds us that smart trade isn’t just about bold moves. It’s about the quiet things too—like how you manage your documentation. How you protect your clients. How you adapt to systems that change overnight.

We’re proud to bring that mindset to the table.

Final Thought

Risk in customs doesn’t always look like risk. It often hides in routine. In things that seem too small to worry about.

But here’s the truth: your entire supply chain can be held up by one missing line item. One unchecked box.

And that’s why we care. Because good logistics isn’t just about trucks and ships. It’s about paperwork done right.

 By Gloria Sewor

To most people, logistics is invisible—until something goes wrong.

You place an order, and it arrives. Or it doesn’t. But between those two points exists a surprisingly detailed map, one with checkpoints, reroutes, quiet pauses, and last-minute sprints. It’s not always linear. Not always predictable. But it’s there.

At PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED, we often walk clients through this journey—especially first-time importers or exporters. And while no two shipments are exactly alike, the steps tend to follow a pattern. A kind of rhythm. I thought it might be helpful to lay it out plainly, from that first inquiry all the way to final delivery.

Because when you understand the freight map, you’re not just a passenger in the process. You’re part of it.

Step 1: The Client Reaches Out

It all begins with a question. Sometimes it’s direct: “Can you help us ship cocoa powder from Ghana to Turkey?” Other times, it’s more exploratory: “We’re not sure what’s needed to import solar panels—can you guide us?”

At this stage, clarity is key. We ask the basics:

What are the goods?

Where are they now?

Where are they going?

Are they time-sensitive?

Do they require special handling?

It’s not just about rates. It’s about understanding the full context. A shipment of pharmaceuticals is a different world from a container of hardwood. And moving goods from Tema to Lagos isn’t the same as airfreighting to Dubai.

Step 2: Route Planning and Mode Selection

Next comes route planning. Do we go by air, sea, or road? Is this best handled with full container load (FCL) or less-than-container load (LCL)? Is bonded warehousing needed?

We look at transit time, budget, reliability, and risk. There’s often a tradeoff. Faster might be costlier. Cheaper might mean slower. We explain the options—sometimes down to the fine print—and help the client decide.

I remember a local exporter shipping moringa powder to Canada. Airfreight was prohibitively expensive for the volume. We opted for sea freight with a two-week buffer, just in case. It arrived on time, under budget, and everyone exhaled a little.

Step 3: Documentation and Compliance

Now things get serious. This step is where many delays are born—or prevented.

We gather:

Commercial invoice

Packing list

Bill of Lading (or Air Waybill)

Customs declarations

Permits, if needed (especially for regulated goods)

Certificates of origin or conformity

In Ghana, we also navigate the ICUMS system (our Integrated Customs Management System), ensuring everything aligns properly before the cargo even arrives at the port.

And if goods are donor-funded, or part of a special exemption, the documentation gets even more layered. It’s tedious, yes—but essential.

Step 4: Cargo Handling and Pickup

Now, the physical journey begins.

We arrange trucking from the client’s warehouse—or receive goods at our designated depot. Depending on the mode of transport, the cargo is packaged, labeled, palletized, or containerized.

And here, safety is non-negotiable. Damaged goods don’t just create cost. They damage reputations. For sensitive items—electronics, perishables, machinery—we follow strict handling protocols.

For one government-backed energy project, we moved solar inverters from Accra to rural Northern Ghana. Each item was worth thousands of dollars, and any drop, bump, or mishandling could render them useless. We used foam-cushioned crates and GPS-tracked trucks. Slow, but safe.

Step 5: Port or Airport Clearance

At the port or airport, we begin clearance procedures. Timing is everything here. A delay of even 24 hours can trigger demurrage fees or missed connections.

Our team liaises with customs, verifies cargo status, settles duties (or ensures exemptions are honored), and arranges release.

One thing clients often underestimate? Customs can flag a shipment even when everything’s correct. Random inspections happen. So we build in buffer days, just in case. It’s not about pessimism—it’s about realism.

Step 6: Final Delivery

Once cleared, it’s time to move.

If the goods are destined for an Accra warehouse, final delivery might be same-day. But inland destinations—like Tamale, Wa, or even neighboring countries—require careful route planning. Roads, weather, fuel, and weight restrictions all play a role.

And then… the delivery happens. It might be a truck rolling into a warehouse at 3:00 a.m. Or a driver handing off a signed POD (Proof of Delivery) in the rain outside a construction site.

Either way, it’s a small moment that represents a long journey.

A Recognition of Our Work

This November, PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED will be in London for the 2025 Go Global Awards, hosted by the International Trade Council. We’ve been nominated—and while that’s an honor, what’s more meaningful is what the event represents.

It’s a convergence of the world’s most adaptive, forward-thinking businesses. A space for ideas. Collaboration. Peer learning. And as a logistics provider from Ghana, we’re proud to be part of that. Because every day, we help our clients build bridges—not just across regions, but across possibility.

Final Thoughts

The freight journey isn’t just about moving goods. It’s about moving trust. From inquiry to delivery, there are dozens of decisions, variables, and quiet choices made behind the scenes.

And when it all works—when the timeline is met, when the cargo arrives safely—it’s easy to forget how much work went into it. That’s okay. That’s kind of the point.

By Gloria Sewor

When most people think about delays in freight, their minds jump straight to customs clearance or port congestion. And yes, those matter—hugely. But there’s another factor, one that operates silently and steadily in the background, often underestimated: the roads themselves.

Ghana’s road infrastructure plays a central role in how goods move from ports to warehouses, factories to retail shelves, and border points to rural hubs. And if you’ve ever tried to move cargo from Tema to Tamale during the rainy season, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

Freight doesn’t just need to arrive. It needs to arrive on time, intact, and without bleeding your logistics budget dry in the process. That last part? It's where road conditions can quietly make or break a shipment.

It’s Not Just About Potholes

People hear “bad roads” and think potholes. But the challenge is more layered than that. We’re talking about:

Unpaved or poorly maintained secondary routes

Seasonal flooding that cuts off key highways

Weight restrictions on certain bridges

Unmarked detours due to ongoing roadworks

Now, these issues don’t exist everywhere all the time. Some corridors are fantastic—well-maintained, expanding, and getting more efficient. But others, especially those leading to landlocked regions or connecting to neighboring countries, are… complicated. Predictability is often the first casualty.

We had a shipment once—a container of pharmaceuticals bound for Wa. Everything was on track from Tema Port. But 120 km from the destination, heavy rains made part of the route impassable for the truck's axle weight. A five-hour delay turned into two days. And with medical supplies, time sensitivity isn’t a luxury—it’s non-negotiable.

The Cost of Unpredictability

Delays caused by road issues don’t just hurt delivery schedules. They ripple across entire supply chains:

Perishable goods risk spoilage

Retailers lose revenue due to stockouts

Factories pause production while waiting for parts

Transporters incur extra fuel and driver time costs

At PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED, we’ve developed routing strategies that account for these variables. Sometimes the “shortest” route on paper isn’t the fastest—or the safest. We use real-time driver feedback, weather forecasts, and even community updates to plan around potential road hazards.

Still, there are moments—especially during the peak of the rainy season—where even the best plans require last-minute pivots. That flexibility has to be built into the system. It’s not a bug. It’s the nature of road-based freight in our part of the world.

Investment Is Happening—But It Takes Time

To be fair, road infrastructure in Ghana has seen improvements in recent years. The expansion of key trade corridors like the Accra–Kumasi road and parts of the Eastern Corridor Road are great examples.

Government projects supported by regional trade initiatives and infrastructure partners are ongoing. These improvements aren’t just cosmetic—they reduce transit times, vehicle wear and tear, and ultimately make goods cheaper for everyone involved.

But infrastructure is slow-moving. A new road announced today might not impact your logistics operation for three or four years. So while it’s encouraging, businesses still have to operate within the current realities.

A Practical Example: The Aflao Border Route

Let’s take the Aflao border post as an example—a key point for goods heading between Ghana and Togo. While the border post itself has improved in terms of customs and clearance efficiency, the surrounding roads can be patchy. During busy periods, congestion isn't always caused by traffic alone—it’s a result of vehicles navigating tricky road segments slowly, cautiously, sometimes even dangerously.

We had a rice shipment moving through that corridor. Halfway through, a section of the road near Akatsi gave way after heavy rains. Our team rerouted via Ho—a longer path, yes, but one that ensured timely delivery. It was a scramble, but it worked.

The Human Element

What’s often forgotten is that drivers are navigating these conditions—sometimes overnight, sometimes without rest areas. Bad roads aren’t just a mechanical issue; they affect driver fatigue, morale, and safety.

At PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED, we’ve started staggering dispatch times and rotating driver teams to reduce pressure. It doesn’t solve the road itself, but it helps our people operate better within those conditions. And it matters.

Recognition That Reflects the Bigger Picture

As I write this, I can’t help but reflect on how far we’ve come as a logistics provider in Ghana. PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED is honoured to be a nominee for the 2025 Go Global Awards, hosted by the International Trade Council in London this November.

This isn’t just a moment for our company—it’s an opportunity to connect with global minds addressing complex trade realities. Because logistics isn’t static. The challenges we face in Ghana—like road infrastructure—are mirrored across other parts of Africa and beyond. Events like this create a space to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and imagine smarter ways to move goods in a world that’s always shifting.

We’re proud to be part of that conversation.

Final Thoughts

Roads connect more than places—they connect economies, ideas, and lives. In Ghana, the condition of those roads can quietly determine whether your shipment arrives on time or not at all.

There’s progress, yes. But in the meantime, freight companies, shippers, and importers must plan for the terrain as it is—not as we wish it to be.