The Volta Region is set to take a major step towards industrial transformation with plans to establish a Free Zone Industrial Park at Adaklu to promote manufacturing, exports, value addition and job creation.
The proposed industrial enclave, which is expected to operate as a 24-hour facility, is being developed as part of efforts to transform the region’s economic potential into concrete investment opportunities and sustainable businesses.
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, disclosed the development at the Volta Economic Forum 2026 held in Ho on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
The forum was held on the theme: “From Opportunity Showcase to Investment Execution.”
1,500 Acres
According to Mr Gunu, more than 1,500 acres of secured land had been earmarked at Adaklu for the development of the industrial park.
He said the project was expected to provide the necessary platform for businesses and industries to establish operations in the region while creating employment opportunities for the youth and other residents.
The Regional Minister further disclosed that the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank) had provided funding for a feasibility study to pave the way for the development of the facility as a Free Zone Industrial Park.
The initiative, when fully realised, is expected to strengthen the region’s industrial base and position it to attract both domestic and foreign investors.
Value Addition
The proposed industrial park is also expected to promote value addition to raw materials produced within the region and beyond.
This could create opportunities for businesses engaged in manufacturing, agro-processing, logistics, export-oriented production and other related industrial activities.
The establishment of the park is therefore being seen as part of broader efforts to move the Volta Region beyond the production and supply of raw materials towards processing and manufacturing.
By creating an environment where industries can operate within an organised industrial enclave, the initiative is expected to facilitate investment and contribute to the expansion of the region’s productive capacity.
GFZA Participation
The Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) was represented at the forum by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Public Relations and Aftercare, Dr Patience Agbleze Acorlor.
She represented the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Dr Mary Awusi, during a panel discussion on industrial development opportunities in the Volta Region.
The participation of the GFZA underscored the importance of Free Zones in the government’s industrialisation and export development agenda.
The Authority also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting investment, industrialisation, export development and value addition through the Free Zones programme.
Investment Focus
The Volta Economic Forum brought together traditional leaders, government officials, heads of institutions, investors and other stakeholders to explore ways of converting the region’s economic opportunities into actual investments.
The discussions focused on how the region could attract capital, expand businesses, create jobs and promote sustainable economic development.
The proposed Free Zone Industrial Park formed part of the broader conversation on how the Volta Region could harness its resources and strategic opportunities to stimulate industrial growth.
Jobs
One of the anticipated benefits of the proposed industrial park is employment creation.
With more than 1,500 acres earmarked for the project, the facility could provide space for industries and businesses whose operations would generate direct and indirect employment opportunities.
The project could also create opportunities for local entrepreneurs and service providers in areas such as transportation, logistics, accommodation, food services, construction and other support businesses.
The industrial park is consequently expected to contribute to the development of local value chains while supporting economic activity in communities around Adaklu.
Free Zone Status
The development of the facility as a Free Zone Industrial Park is also expected to give investors access to the opportunities associated with Ghana’s Free Zones framework.
The framework is designed to promote export-oriented investment and provide an environment for businesses engaged in international trade and manufacturing.
The proposed project is therefore expected to complement ongoing national efforts to increase exports, attract investment and strengthen Ghana’s position as a destination for industrial and export-oriented businesses.
Feasibility Study
The funding provided by EXIM Bank for the feasibility study represents an important step in determining the technical, economic and commercial viability of the proposed industrial park.
The outcome of the study is expected to provide further direction for the development of the facility and inform subsequent stages of the project.
Stakeholders are expected to use the findings to guide investment planning and the eventual establishment of the industrial park.
Regional Transformation
The proposed project comes at a time when stakeholders in the Volta Region are seeking to leverage the region’s resources and strategic advantages to accelerate economic transformation.
The establishment of an industrial park could help create an organised environment for businesses to operate while linking production, processing and export activities.
For the region, the initiative is expected to provide a platform for translating investment opportunities identified at the Volta Economic Forum into actual businesses and jobs.
The Volta Economic Forum, therefore, provided an avenue for stakeholders to move the conversation from identifying opportunities to taking concrete steps towards investment execution.
The proposed Free Zone Industrial Park at Adaklu is expected to become one of the key initiatives through which the region seeks to achieve that objective.
