The Ministry of Harbours and Railways was formed out of the Ministry of Road and Transport by H.E. President John Agyekum Kufuor in April 2003 to handle infrastructure and service delivery for the Maritime and Rail Transport sub-sectors and to complement the other modes of transport for socio-economic development.

The Ministry is one of twenty seven (27) Ministerial organisations established by the President under section 11 of the Ghana Civil Service Law, 1993 (PNDCL 327) as amended by the Civil Service (Amendment) Act 2001 (Act 600).

The strategic importance of the Ministry stems from the basic fact that over 90% of Ghana 's International Trade upon which the country's economy is dependent is sea borne and carried through the main commercial seaports of the country at Tema and Takoradi.

Relative to the role of Ghana 's harbours, the country's railways was designed for bulk-haulage of goods and people to and from the sea ports. However, over the years, the railways system has gradually diminished in its role as a major transporter, accounting now for only 4% of the country's bulk-haulage activity. This must be one of the reasons why Government has taken a decision to put the country's railway in focus.

The Ministry therefore is in the process of effectively co-ordinating the activities of all the agencies under it towards a workable transport policy within a combined maritime and rail industry.