President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for the construction of the Tema Integrated Industrial Park (TIIP), describing the project as a major step towards transforming Ghana into a competitive industrial and manufacturing hub on the African continent.
The industrial park, to be developed on an 83.5-hectare site in Tema, is expected to drive industrialisation, attract both local and foreign investment, create thousands of jobs and strengthen Ghana’s export capacity under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The project is a partnership involving the Tema Development Corporation (TDC), the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) and Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP).
The sod-cutting ceremony brought together ministers of state, officials from key government agencies, traditional authorities, development partners and private sector representatives.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Mahama said the Tema Integrated Industrial Park formed part of the government’s broader industrialisation agenda aimed at expanding local production, promoting value addition and building a resilient manufacturing sector.
He said the facility would provide a modern industrial ecosystem where businesses could establish and expand operations while creating sustainable employment opportunities for Ghanaians.
The President explained that the project also aligned with the government’s proposed 24-hour economy policy by providing the infrastructure needed for industries to operate efficiently around the clock.
He said beyond job creation, the industrial park would facilitate technology transfer, skills development, increased exports and improved industrial productivity, while positioning Ghana as one of Africa’s preferred investment destinations.
President Mahama urged investors to take advantage of the opportunities the industrial park would offer to establish export-oriented industries capable of serving both domestic and regional markets.
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, described the project as a significant milestone in Ghana’s industrial development journey.
She said Cabinet had approved four strategic sector policies covering manufacturing, agribusiness, textiles and pharmaceuticals to provide a strong policy framework for accelerating industrial growth and economic transformation.
According to the Minister, the government remained committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses through strategic public-private partnerships and investment-friendly policies.
She also stressed the need to review the Free Zones Act to facilitate the transition of Ghana’s Free Zones Programme into a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) framework.
Such reforms, she explained, would enable the country to maximise the benefits of integrated industrial parks, strengthen export-led industrialisation and improve Ghana’s competitiveness in attracting investment.
The Tema Integrated Industrial Park will comprise specialised production zones dedicated to automotive assembly, pharmaceuticals, aluminium processing, agro-processing, garments and textiles.
The project is expected to enhance industrial value chains, boost exports and contribute significantly to national economic growth.
The Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) participated in the ceremony as one of the key institutions supporting Ghana’s industrialisation and export promotion agenda.
Representing the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Dr Mary Awusi, was the Director of Corporate Affairs, Public Relations and Aftercare, Dr Patience Agbleze Acorlor.
The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote investment, export manufacturing and sustainable industrial development as Ghana pursues its vision of becoming a leading industrial hub in Africa.
