AFIENYA, Ghana, 15th October: President John Dramani Mahama has called for renewed commitment to industrialisation, saying Ghana must build on the vision of the country’s founding generation by expanding its productive capacity and creating sustainable economic opportunities.
The President said the generation that established the Tema Industrial Area understood that political independence needed to be supported by the capacity to manufacture goods and develop the national economy.
He made the remarks during the sod-cutting ceremony for the Afienya Industrial Park, which he described as an important step towards positioning Ghana as a manufacturing and logistics hub for West Africa.
“We are only months away from the 70th anniversary of Ghana’s independence. The generation that built the Tema Industrial Area recognised that political independence had to be underpinned by industrial productive capacity,” President Mahama said.
“Our responsibility today is to carry that work forward in ways that meet the needs of today’s economy,” he added.
The President said Ghana must increase domestic production, create decent jobs and reduce its dependence on imported goods by developing industries capable of adding value to the country’s resources.
He described the Afienya Industrial Park as part of the government’s efforts to provide businesses with the land, infrastructure and services needed to establish factories and expand production.
The park covers approximately 1,238 acres and is expected to accommodate more than 120 enterprises.
Planned investment sectors include cocoa, cashew and oil palm processing, textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals, automotive components and assembly, light engineering and logistics.
President Mahama said the development would also benefit farmers, transport operators, local suppliers and small businesses through their participation in the supply chains serving industrial enterprises.
He called for training opportunities for residents of Afienya and neighbouring communities to help them secure jobs created by companies operating at the facility.
The President further highlighted the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area, saying Ghana needed the capacity to manufacture quality products that consumers and businesses across the continent would want to buy.
He said the country’s ambition to become a regional industrial hub must be supported by competitive pricing, consistent quality and reliable delivery.
President Mahama also announced that part of the infrastructure financing for the Afienya Industrial Park would be provided under the proposed $10 billion New Economy Programme, which is expected to run over four years.
The programme is intended to support productive sectors, including agriculture, agro-processing, industry and infrastructure.
Concluding his address, the President expressed hope that the industrial park would bring together Ghanaian talent, enterprise and resources to create lasting prosperity.
He said the country’s next phase of economic development must build on the industrial foundations laid by previous generations while responding to the demands of a modern, competitive economy.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent
