President John Dramani Mahama has praised the expansion of factories in the Bright International Industrial Zone at Afienya, describing the growing number of businesses and shift workers as evidence of the employment opportunities associated with Ghana’s industrial development agenda.
The President said a return visit to the area showed a significant increase in the number of factories operating there compared with his previous visit the year before.
Speaking during a working tour of industrial facilities, President Mahama said he was encouraged by the visible growth of manufacturing activities and the number of young people employed in the factories.
“I was here last year, and there were not too many factories established yet. I have come back again, and I can see that many more factories have come up,” he said.
He linked the developments to the government’s 24-hour economy policy, which seeks to encourage businesses to operate in multiple shifts and increase the productive use of industrial facilities.
“This is what we talk about when we say the 24-hour economy. It is beginning to show the job creation aspect of it, and we’ve seen a lot of young people who have found work and are working in shifts,” he said.
The President explained that some workers reported for duty in the morning, others in the afternoon, while another group worked in the evening.
During the tour, he visited Huaguang Battery (Ghana), Qianfeng International Corporation Limited, Jiudine Ghana Corporation, Zema New Energy and the Funsheen Truck Assembly Plant.
The companies operate in areas including battery production, textiles and garments, solar energy products and truck assembly.
President Mahama said the expansion of industrial activity demonstrated the potential for manufacturing to create jobs and increase domestic production.
However, he acknowledged that the rapid growth of the industrial zone had placed pressure on the existing electricity infrastructure.
He disclosed that the power substation had become inadequate for the expanding industrial demand and said the Minister of Energy and the Ghana Grid Company Limited had assured the government that a replacement transformer would be installed within three weeks.
The President said resolving the electricity challenge would help businesses operate full shifts and improve production capacity.
He also announced that the government intended to accelerate industrial development through the proposed New Economy Programme, which is expected to invest $2 billion annually in productive sectors over four years.
President Mahama said the programme would support job-rich industries, including agriculture, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and textiles.
He urged entrepreneurs to continue investing in Ghana, adding that the government was committed to creating an environment that supports industrial expansion, employment creation and increased exports.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭