By: Daniel Yao Akpabli | ignewss – Afienya, Ghana
President John Dramani Mahama has broken ground for the construction of the 1,238-acre Afienya Industrial Park, a project expected to attract more than 120 enterprises and create jobs across key sectors of Ghana’s economy.
The industrial enclave is designed as a modern, environmentally friendly manufacturing hub for businesses in agribusiness, textiles, automotive assembly, pharmaceuticals and other productive industries.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, President Mahama said the project formed part of his administration’s efforts to translate economic stabilisation into increased production, higher incomes and sustainable employment opportunities.
“With the start of the construction of this Afienya Industrial Park, we are creating space for businesses to establish and expand, for new industries to take root, and for more Ghanaians to secure productive and decent jobs,” he said.
The President added that the next phase of the government’s economic agenda was to ensure that improvements in the macroeconomic environment translated into tangible benefits for businesses and workers.
“With your support, we have stabilised the economy, but our next task is to turn that progress into greater production, higher incomes, and decent, sustainable jobs,” he stated.
The project is expected to address some of the challenges facing industrial investors, particularly land disputes and inadequate infrastructure.
According to the project details, the park will provide serviced plots with dedicated electricity, treated water, waste-treatment facilities and an internal paved road network to support industrial operations.
The development is also expected to benefit from its connection to the Tema-Mpakadan railway network, which could improve freight transportation between factories, the Tema Port and inland markets.
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said the project was attracting interest from private investors even before its completion.
She disclosed that 14 major industrial companies had applied to establish production facilities at the Afienya enclave, following the exhaustion of plot allocations at the nearby Tema Export Processing Zone.
The industrial park is expected to receive infrastructure financing under the proposed 10-billion-dollar New Economy Programme, which is designed to direct 2 billion dollars annually towards high-growth productive sectors.
Beyond creating jobs and expanding domestic manufacturing, the development is expected to strengthen Ghana’s position in regional trade, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The government is counting on the industrial park to attract new investments, expand local production and improve the competitiveness of Ghanaian manufacturers in African markets.
The expected impact of the project will depend on its timely completion, the level of investment it attracts and the number of sustainable jobs ultimately created.
SOURCE: www.ignewss.com | Presidency of Ghana