Bank of Ghana Reports Passenger Decline in Ghana as Ports Surge | By Joojo Maapa
Passenger arrivals to Ghana recorded a year-on-year decline in July 2025, even as maritime trade volumes expanded strongly, according to the latest monetary data from the Bank of Ghana.
The central bank’s January 2026 Monetary Policy Report shows that total passenger arrivals fell by 8.5 percent to 111,631 in July 2025, down from 121,995 in July 2024. Despite the annual contraction, traffic improved on a month-on-month basis, rising 3.0 percent compared to June 2025, suggesting some short-term recovery in travel demand.
For the first seven months of 2025, cumulative passenger arrivals reached 722,020, marginally below the 724,412 recorded during the same period in 2024. The data points to relative stability in overall traffic volumes, with aviation sector analysts noting that targeted route development, competitive fares, and tourism promotion could help reverse the downward trend in the second half of the year.
In contrast to the aviation segment, Ghana’s seaborne trade performance strengthened considerably during the period under review. Total container traffic through the country’s two main ports rose by 28.9 percent year-on-year in July 2025 to 75,183 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), compared with 58,330 TEUs in July 2024.
On a cumulative basis, container throughput for January to July 2025 increased by 23.8 percent to 497,292 TEUs, up from 401,845 TEUs recorded in the corresponding period of 2024. The central bank indicated that the expansion reflects improving external trade activity, increased import volumes, and gradual recovery in supply chain movements.
The divergence between aviation passenger performance and maritime cargo growth highlights differing sector dynamics within Ghana’s transport ecosystem. While aviation demand remains sensitive to macroeconomic conditions and travel costs, the strong port performance signals resilient commercial activity and improving business confidence, factors that could ultimately support future growth in air travel demand.
Bank of Ghana Reports Passenger Decline in Ghana as Ports Surge | Send all enquiries and press releases to AviationGhana.info@gmail.com
