President John Dramani Mahama says the Tema Integrated Industrial Park (TIIP) will create thousands of jobs, attract private investment and boost Ghana’s exports as part of efforts to transform the country’s economy through industrialisation.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for the project in Tema, President Mahama said the industrial park is expected to become a strategic national asset that will strengthen Ghana’s position as a manufacturing and export hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He said the project goes beyond the construction of factories and infrastructure, describing it as an investment in Ghanaian enterprise, innovation and the country’s future.
“When completed, it is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, stimulate significant private investment, expand our export base, and strengthen Ghana’s position as an industrial gateway to the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he said.
The President explained that the 120-hectare industrial park, located within the Tema Heavy Industrial Area and close to the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), will support manufacturing, downstream aluminium processing, logistics, warehousing and export-oriented production.
According to him, the project forms part of government’s broader strategy to develop a complete aluminium value chain by processing more of Ghana’s natural resources locally instead of exporting them in their raw form.
President Mahama said the industrial park aligns with the government’s 24-hour economy policy and the Accelerated Export Development Programme, which seek to increase industrial production, create sustainable jobs and improve the country’s export performance.
He stressed that industrialisation should not only be measured by the number of factories built but by the quality of jobs created and the opportunities made available to Ghanaians.
“Industrialisation must not be measured solely by the number of factories that we build. Its true measure lies in the quality of jobs that are created, the businesses that are established, the skills that are developed, and the opportunities made available to future generations of Ghanaians,” he stated.
President Mahama added that government will continue to invest in technical education, vocational training and digital skills to prepare young people for employment in the country’s growing industrial sector.
He expressed confidence that the partnership between government and Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP) would help position Ghana as one of the most competitive destinations for industrial production and export-oriented manufacturing in West Africa.
