Traders Demand Cheaper Credit and Port Relief Ahead of Ghana's 2027 Budget

Ghanaian traders are calling on the government to take bold steps to reduce the cost of doing business in the country, as Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson prepares to present the 2027 Budget on Thursday, 12 November 2026. The Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA) has laid out a clear set of demands, centring on affordable credit, lower port charges and stronger enforcement of laws that reserve retail trade for Ghanaian citizens.

What traders want from the 2027 Budget

Speaking ahead of the budget presentation, GUTA Vice President Joseph Paddy said businesses needed more than promises — they needed concrete financial instruments that would allow them to expand, manufacture and hire. He specifically called for mechanisms that would enable traders to access cheaper credit from banks, including the possibility of multi-year repayment grace periods for those looking to invest in factories and production facilities.

Mr Paddy did not stop at credit. He drew attention to the heavy burden of charges imposed on imported goods at Ghana's ports, arguing that the cumulative levies, duties and fees can amount to as much as 55% of a consignment's value. In his words, importing goods worth 100,000 Ghana cedis can attract charges of roughly 55,000 cedis — costs that businesses inevitably pass on to ordinary consumers in the form of higher prices.

He also challenged a common narrative that importing is inherently damaging to the economy. Pointing to countries such as Singapore and Malaysia, which maintain high import-to-GDP ratios yet run competitive economies, he argued that the more important question is what Ghana is importing. Goods brought in to support local manufacturing, he said, should be viewed differently from finished consumer products that displace local production.

Why it matters for Ghana

Ghana's private sector has long identified the high cost of credit as one of the most significant barriers to growth. Interest rates from commercial banks have historically remained in double digits, making it extremely difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises to finance expansion. If the 2027 Budget introduces targeted credit facilities or government-backed loan guarantees for manufacturers, it could meaningfully shift the landscape for local industry.

The port charges issue is equally significant. Ghana's Tema Port is a major gateway for West African trade, and businesses across the country — from large importers to market traders — feel the downstream effects of high clearance costs. Any reduction in port-related levies could lower the prices consumers pay for a wide range of goods, from raw materials to household items.

GUTA's concerns about foreign businesses operating in Ghana's retail sector also carry considerable weight. Ghanaian law restricts retail trade to citizens, yet enforcement has historically been inconsistent. Traders have repeatedly raised alarms about foreign nationals — particularly from some Asian countries — operating at the retail level, often in direct competition with Ghanaian shop owners. Mr Paddy's renewed call for the Finance Minister to introduce protective measures suggests the issue remains unresolved and continues to cost local traders significant business.

The bigger picture

The 2027 Budget arrives at a critical moment for Ghana's economy. The country has been navigating a demanding fiscal consolidation programme following its debt restructuring, and the government faces the dual challenge of maintaining financial discipline while also stimulating growth and employment. GUTA's proposals — cheaper credit, lower trade costs and stronger protection for local businesses — reflect the priorities of a trading community that feels squeezed from multiple directions.

Whether Finance Minister Dr Forson's budget will address these specific concerns remains to be seen, but the pressure from one of Ghana's most prominent trader associations is unlikely to go unnoticed. For millions of Ghanaians who depend on the informal and formal trade sectors for their livelihoods, the decisions made on 12 November could have lasting consequences.