The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) President Clement Boateng has called for a moratorium on loan repayments to give traders breathing space as shipment delays leave them facing bank demands before their goods arrive.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, he said shipments from the United Arab Emirates were taking about three to four months to reach Ghana. Previously, goods were expected within 45 to 60 days.
He attributed the longer journey to rerouting linked to the war and developments at the Strait of Hormuz.
The delays, he said, put pressure on traders who borrow to finance imports. Loan repayments begin the month after they take the facility, even when their goods are still in transit.
“And assuming you’ve gone to take a facility from the bank, they will be on your neck because once you take a facility from them, it the repayment starts the following month.”
Mr Boateng said he had repeatedly called for a grace period on repayments. He wants lenders to give traders more time before requiring them to begin servicing their loans.
“When we take a facility, the repayment shouldn’t start after just one month.”
His appeal centres on the gap between borrowing to buy goods and receiving them for clearance. With shipments taking longer, traders face repayment obligations while waiting for their imports.
Arrival at the port does not necessarily end the wait. Mr Boateng said congestion was also slowing clearance, adding another layer of delays for businesses.
“because of the huge volumes of cargo that is coming now, it has also resulted in some delays.”
Despite these difficulties, he said the broader business environment in 2026 had not been entirely negative.
“if you want to talk about the generality of business in 2026, it is not all that bad.”
His concern, however, was the pressure on importers caught between longer shipping times, port congestion and loan repayments that start before their goods arrive.