The City of Philadelphia is seeking a strategic partnership with stakeholders in Ghana’s logistics sector to strengthen international trade, enhance supply chain networks and promote agro-processing between Ghana and the United States.
The initiative aims to leverage Philadelphia’s extensive port infrastructure to facilitate exports and improve connectivity between West African markets and the United States through Philadelphia’s East Coast trade corridor.
The proposal was presented during the maiden edition of the US-Ghana Business Roundtable on Logistics, held on June 4, 2026, at the Accra City Hotel. The event was organised by the US-Ghana Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Bethel Logistics Company Limited (BethLOG) and brought together key players in Ghana’s logistics industry.
A delegation from the United States was led by Karen Fegely, Acting Commerce Director for the City of Philadelphia, who oversees business growth, economic development initiatives and support services. The delegation also included private sector representatives and business leaders from the state of Pennsylvania.
Addressing participants, Ms Fegely highlighted Philadelphia’s commitment to promoting inclusive trade and sustainable economic development.
She noted that the Port of Philadelphia (PhilaPort) is exploring opportunities to expand its maritime logistics operations by establishing direct supply chain connections with Ghana.
“The Port of Philadelphia is seeking to expand its maritime logistics by establishing direct supply chain linkages with Ghana,” she said.
According to her, PhilaPort, an independent agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is responsible for the management, maintenance, marketing and promotion of port facilities along the Delaware River and strategic planning within the port district.
Ms Fegely expressed confidence that the roundtable would lay the foundation for stronger trade relations between Ghana and the United States, while positioning Philadelphia as a preferred gateway for transatlantic commerce.
“We are convinced the roundtable would kickstart a great collaboration to increase international trade between Ghana and the United States, using PhilaPort, which has several comparative advantages over other US ports,” she added.
President of the US-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Florence Porson-Hart, reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to creating a vibrant, inclusive and investor-friendly economy. She highlighted ongoing reforms designed to strengthen private sector participation and attract sustainable investments.
She further stated that the Chamber remains committed to deepening economic relations between Ghana and the United States by facilitating trade, investment and strategic partnerships across critical sectors of the economy.
Chief Executive Officer of Bethel Logistics Company Limited, Dr Kofi Annor-Adu, said the roundtable provided an opportunity for participants to exchange insights on the logistics industry and gain a better understanding of developments in both markets.
According to him, the discussions also focused on identifying innovative solutions to challenges within Ghana’s logistics sector and exploring areas of collaboration with partners in Pennsylvania and across the United States.
He noted that stronger cooperation could help transform fragmented supply chains into more efficient and integrated networks capable of reducing operational inefficiencies, improving delivery times and driving innovation.
Dr Annor-Adu expressed appreciation to the US-Ghana Chamber of Commerce for partnering with Bethel Logistics to organise the event. He also thanked members of the US delegation and Ghanaian industry stakeholders for their participation and contributions.
The roundtable concluded with a guided tour of the Port of Tema, Ghana’s largest seaport, organised by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), providing the visiting delegation with firsthand insight into the country’s maritime and logistics infrastructure.
