President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for the construction of the Afienya Industrial Park, a project aimed at attracting investment, expanding Ghana’s manufacturing capacity and creating jobs.
The President said the development would support Ghana’s ambition to become a manufacturing and logistics hub for the West African sub-region by providing businesses with the infrastructure and space needed to establish and expand their operations.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, President Mahama said the decision to develop the park followed growing investor interest in Ghana, particularly after the Tema Export Processing Zone ran out of space to accommodate interested industries.
He cited figures from the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre indicating that foreign direct investments registered in Ghana increased from $624 million in 2024 to $2.62 billion in 2025.
According to him, the Afienya Industrial Park is intended to provide investors with ready access to land and essential services, including electricity, water, roads, security and waste treatment facilities.
He said the arrangement would help investors avoid delays and additional costs associated with land litigation and infrastructure development.
“All you need is to come, build your factory, bring your machines, and start to produce,” he said.
The Afienya Industrial Park covers 1,238 acres and is planned to accommodate more than 120 enterprises.
Its location along the Eastern Corridor Road, its proximity to the Port of Tema and the passage of the Tema-Mpakadan standard-gauge railway line through the industrial enclave are expected to support the movement of raw materials and finished products to local, regional and international markets.
President Mahama said the park would prioritise industries such as cocoa, cashew and oil palm processing, textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals, medical consumables, automotive components and assembly, and light engineering.
Other opportunities are expected in logistics, data services, business process outsourcing, renewable energy and green manufacturing.
The President also called for measures to ensure that residents of Afienya and surrounding communities benefit directly from the project.
He proposed training programmes to equip local people with the skills needed to take up jobs that would be created by businesses operating in the park.
He added that farmers, transport operators, local suppliers and small businesses should be integrated into the supply chains serving the industries.
President Mahama further disclosed that the government’s $10 billion New Economy Programme, which will run over four years, would support productive sectors of the economy, including industry and the infrastructure needed to connect producers to markets.
Under the programme, the government intends to invest $2 billion annually, with half of the investment earmarked for agriculture and agro-processing.
He said part of the financing for infrastructure at the Afienya Industrial Park would come through the New Economy Programme.
President Mahama also directed the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry to lead a targeted investment outreach programme, in collaboration with the Ghana Free Zones Authority and private investors, to attract businesses to the park.
He said the success of the project would ultimately be measured by the number of businesses established, the jobs created for Ghanaians and the products exported to wider African markets.
The President expressed confidence that the private sector would respond to the investment opportunities created by the government and urged manufacturers to use Ghana as a base for reaching customers across Africa and beyond.
