CMC Launches 24-Hour Cocoa Operations at Tema and Takoradi Ports to Streamline Exports

The Cocoa Marketing Company (Ghana) Limited (CMC) has officially transitioned to a 24-hour operational model, a strategic move designed to significantly enhance the efficiency of Ghana’s cocoa export chain. This initiative, which aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s "24-Hour Economy" policy, seeks to eliminate bottlenecks in the movement and processing of cocoa. By extending operations beyond traditional business hours, the CMC aims to ensure that cocoa can be received, supplied to local processing companies, and prepared for international shipment around the clock. The new framework is built upon three core pillars—Offload 24, Load 24, and Export 24—and will initially target high-volume facilities in the port cities of Tema and Takoradi.

CMC Managing Director Wisdom Kofi Dogbey emphasized that the continuous operating model is essential for mitigating congestion and optimizing the use of existing logistics infrastructure. Beyond the immediate logistical benefits, Mr. Dogbey highlighted the potential for significant job creation within cocoa-producing regions and port communities, as the shift-based system requires a more robust workforce to sustain 24-hour activity. This modernization effort is expected to improve turnaround times for trucks and vessels, thereby increasing the overall volume of cocoa handled and exported by the nation while reducing historical delays.

The rollout also focuses on improved coordination among various stakeholders in the maritime and trade sectors. Dr. Randy Abbey, representing COCOBOD leadership, noted that the initiative is critical for reducing demurrage costs and vessel waiting times, which have historically weighed on the sector's profitability. To ensure success, the CMC has called for synchronized operations between customs authorities, shipping lines, and other logistics partners. By establishing measurable performance indicators, the company intends to monitor the impact of the 24-hour model on productivity and the speed of delivery to the international market.

This reform represents a broader shift toward enhancing Ghana’s competitive edge and retaining more value within the local economy. By facilitating quicker access for domestic processing companies and streamlining the export pipeline, the CMC is positioning Ghana to be more responsive to the demands of the global cocoa trade. As the 24-hour model matures, it is expected to serve as a blueprint for other state institutions, furthering the goal of creating a more dynamic and resilient economic landscape through continuous, around-the-clock productivity.