Tema Port Unveils Smarter Shea Nut Export System to Boost Ghana's Agricultural Trade

Ghana's Tema Port has taken a significant step towards modernising its agricultural export operations, with a new container-based shea nut loading system now officially in use. The initiative, driven by Honeyworld and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), sees sealed containers used to transfer shea nuts directly into waiting vessels — completely bypassing the quay apron in the process.

How the new system works

Under the previous approach, shea nuts — one of Ghana's key non-traditional agricultural exports — would typically be handled across the quay apron before being loaded onto ships, a process that introduced multiple points of potential spillage, contamination and delay. The new system eliminates these intermediate steps by using sealed containers that discharge their contents straight into the ship's hold.

This method reduces physical handling of the commodity, which is particularly important for shea nuts given their sensitivity to moisture and contamination during transit. Sealed loading also means faster turnaround times at the port, lower risk of cargo loss, and a cleaner working environment on the quay.

The collaboration between Honeyworld, a private sector operator, and the GPHA signals growing interest in public-private partnerships to upgrade Ghana's port infrastructure and export logistics chain.

Why it matters for Ghana

Shea is one of West Africa's most economically valuable natural commodities, and Ghana is among the top producers on the continent. The shea belt stretches across Ghana's Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions, where millions of women depend on shea collection and processing as a primary source of income.

Globally, demand for shea butter — derived from shea nuts — continues to rise sharply, driven by the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food industries. Multinational companies use shea butter as a key ingredient in moisturisers, chocolates and a range of consumer products. This growing international appetite makes efficient, reliable export infrastructure at Tema Port critically important for Ghana's ability to capture greater value from the commodity.

Delays, cargo losses or quality degradation during port handling can cost exporters dearly and damage Ghana's reputation as a dependable supplier. A sealed, streamlined loading system directly addresses these concerns and could encourage more buyers to source shea from Ghana rather than competitors.

• Revenue implications: More efficient exports mean reduced costs for shea exporters, potentially improving margins and making Ghanaian shea more competitive on the world market.
• Environmental and safety benefits: Bypassing the quay apron reduces dust, spillage and the associated health hazards for port workers.
• Model for other commodities: If successful, the system could be adapted for other bulk agricultural exports handled at Tema, including cashew nuts and cocoa by-products.

A broader push to modernise Ghana's ports

The launch of this system fits within a broader national conversation about making Tema Port more competitive in the West African shipping corridor. Ghana faces increasing competition from ports in Côte d'Ivoire, Togo and Senegal, all of which have invested heavily in port efficiency in recent years.

GPHA has been under pressure to reduce vessel turnaround times, improve cargo handling standards and attract more shipping lines to Tema. Innovations like this container-based loading system — while focused on a single commodity — contribute to building the port's overall reputation for operational excellence.

For the communities in northern Ghana whose livelihoods depend on the shea value chain, improvements at Tema Port are not merely logistical footnotes. They are a direct link between a woman collecting shea nuts in the Upper West Region and a buyer in Europe or Asia — and the smoother that link becomes, the greater the benefit to Ghana's rural economy.