Ghana`s two sea ports at Tema in the east and Takoradi in the west are reaping economic benefits from the Ivorian crisis, since transit cargo for several landlocked countries in the region are now diverted to the two ports.

But according to Cletus Kuyagbe, Operations Manager of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the diversion of goods to the Tema Port had also put pressure on the resources.

Scores of articulated trucks carrying goods for export or imported by Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Cote d`Ivoire, are a common sight on Ghanaian roads.

Musah Issaka, Principal Administrative Officer of the Ghana Shippers` Council, said total Liner Import carriage for half-year in 2003 saw an increase of 33.64 percent over that of 2002.

Similarly, for the second quarter of 2003, all the cargo carriage - Liner, Dry Bulk and Liquid Bulk - generally increased, with the total import showing a rise of 614,652 tons representing 44 percent over that of the first quarter of 2003.

"Total transit cargo for the period (first half of 2003) under review, amounted to 384,655 tons," Issaka added.

Tema Port accounted for 327,544 tons of the cargo, while Takoradi Port handled 57,111 tons.

The Tema Port also registered an increase in transit trade of about 72 percent over the same period in 2002, with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso accounting for 90 percent of the total.

Other countries of final destination for either import or export were Guinea Conakry, Cameroon, Nigeria, Cote d`Ivoire, Benin and Togo.

Officials said the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority has set up an office in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, to facilitate the business of shippers in both countries.

Meanwhile, authorities of the Takoradi Port have taken new measures to boost its operations and overall service delivery to expand its share of business in the sub-region.

Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority has also reduced transit tariffs for Takoradi Port in order to attract more cargo destined for the landlocked countries.

Bagged cargo in transit enjoy 20 percent rebate on stevedooring and port dues. These include rice, sugar, flour and fertiliser. Stevedooring and port dues on containerised cargo in transit also attract 10 percent rebate.

"With the exception of harbour rent, all other marine-related charges, that is, piloting, towage moorings, unmooring, now attract a rebate of 10 percent," Isaaka explained.