The Vice-President of Colombia, Francia Elena Márquez Mina, has signalled her country’s intent to use Ghana as a strategic hub for trade with West Africa, following a high-level business delegation visit to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) on Friday, December 12, 2025.
The delegation was received by the Director of Port of Tema, Mr. Tebon Zumah, alongside management officials of GPHA, marking the start of discussions aimed at exploring investment opportunities and strengthening bilateral trade ties between Colombia and Ghana.
Vice-President Márquez Mina emphasised the critical role ports play in national economic development, stressing that closer cooperation between Colombian and Ghanaian ports would not only foster trade but also drive growth and improve livelihoods in both countries.
“Colombia is pursuing a vision to reconnect with the world through strategic trade partnerships, and Ghana holds a special place in that vision due to our historical and cultural links,” she stated.
Central to the discussions was Colombia’s plan to export goods directly to Ghana and establish a maritime route linking the two countries.
The Vice-President noted that such a route is geographically feasible through one of Colombia’s two major ports, highlighting the potential for enhanced trade flows between Colombia and the broader West African region.
To formalise the collaboration, she proposed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ports of Colombia and Ghana.
Vice-President Márquez Mina also extended an official invitation to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to participate in the upcoming African Trade Forum, scheduled to take place in Colombia in March 2026.
She emphasised the broader vision of transforming historical maritime routes, once associated with the transatlantic slave trade, into modern channels of commerce, partnership, and shared prosperity.
In response, Mr. Tebon Zumah welcomed the proposal, noting that international trade is impossible without efficient port infrastructure.
He highlighted Ghana’s strategic position as a gateway to landlocked West African countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which could serve as key markets for Colombian goods.
He also expressed support for exchange programmes between Ghanaian ports and sister ports in Colombia, aimed at facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity building.
Mr. Zumah further observed that the collaboration could extend beyond cargo trade to include tourism development through passenger vessel services.
During the visit, Vice-President Márquez Mina and her delegation toured key facilities at the Port of Tema, including Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal 3 and the Fruit Terminal, observing ongoing port operations and gaining insight into Ghana’s logistics and operational capabilities.
Industry analysts note that Colombia’s initiative could position Ghana as a central hub for trade between South America and West Africa, potentially boosting economic activity, strengthening trade relations, and opening new avenues for regional integration.
The visit underscores the growing recognition of Ghana’s strategic importance in regional trade and reaffirms the potential for bilateral cooperation to transform historical maritime pathways into engines of modern commerce and mutual prosperity.
