Ghana has stepped up efforts to strengthen maritime and trade cooperation with the United States following a working visit by its ambassador and senior government officials to the Port of Philadelphia, a key hub for regional and international commerce.
Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, led the delegation, which included the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, as part of ongoing engagements to deepen economic partnerships between the two countries. The visit formed part of Ghana’s broader economic diplomacy strategy aimed at expanding trade, enhancing logistics capacity and fostering long-term collaboration in maritime-related sectors.
During the visit, the delegation toured key operational areas of the port and participated in detailed presentations outlining the port’s performance, major import commodities, container handling systems and logistics infrastructure. Officials were also briefed on the port’s role in supporting supply chains, facilitating exports and driving industrial growth across the region.
Ambassador Smith highlighted the critical role of ports in enabling global commerce and trade competitiveness. He pointed to Ghana’s export strengths, particularly cocoa and cocoa-derived products, which remain central to the country’s trade relations with international markets. He noted that efficient ports are essential for ensuring reliable market access, encouraging value addition and strengthening Ghana’s position in global supply chains.
According to him, enhanced collaboration between ports, coupled with knowledge-sharing and technical cooperation, could support Ghana’s ambitions to expand exports and develop a more resilient logistics and maritime ecosystem.
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Gomashie, used the visit to reaffirm Ghana’s growing interest in the blue economy, describing it as a key pillar for sustainable development, job creation and economic diversification. She said Ghana is keen to explore opportunities across maritime tourism, fisheries, coastal development, port services and other marine-related industries.
She added that lessons from established ports such as Philadelphia offer valuable insights into how maritime assets can be leveraged to drive inclusive growth while safeguarding environmental sustainability.
Officials from the Port of Philadelphia shared perspectives on best practices in port management, logistics integration and adapting to evolving global trade patterns. The exchanges highlighted the importance of innovation, infrastructure investment and environmental stewardship in modern port operations.
The visit concluded with a renewed commitment from both sides to continue dialogue and explore practical areas of cooperation that advance trade, logistics, tourism and shared economic prosperity, according to Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.