By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for the construction of the 1,238-acre Afienya Industrial Park in the Greater Accra Region, setting the stage for a major expansion of the country’s manufacturing and agro-processing industries. The project is expected to attract domestic and foreign investment, boost exports, create thousands of jobs and strengthen Ghana’s position as an industrial and commercial hub in West Africa.
The Ghana Presidency announced the development as part of the government’s industrialisation agenda, which places increased emphasis on local production, private-sector investment and economic diversification. The proposed industrial park will provide space for businesses to establish manufacturing facilities, expand operations and take advantage of Ghana’s growing access to regional and international markets.
Located in Afienya, within Greater Accra’s expanding industrial corridor, the park will occupy approximately 501 hectares and is expected to accommodate more than 120 enterprises. Its proximity to Tema Harbour, approximately 20 kilometres away, and access to the Tema-Mpakadan railway corridor are expected to make it attractive to manufacturers, exporters and logistics companies.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, President Mahama said the project would create opportunities for businesses to expand while providing employment for Ghanaians.
“With the start of the construction of this Afienya Industrial Park, we are creating space for businesses to establish and expand, for new industries to take root, and for more Ghanaians to secure productive and decent jobs,” the President said.
The development comes as Ghana seeks to address the growing demand for industrial space, particularly following the exhaustion of available land at the Tema Export Processing Zone. The Ghana Free Zones Authority has already allocated land to 14 companies at Afienya, providing an initial group of investors for the new industrial enclave.
Manufacturing and agro-processing are expected to feature prominently in the park’s activities. The government hopes to encourage more businesses to process agricultural produce locally, reduce dependence on imported finished goods and expand the range of products manufactured in Ghana.
For the agricultural sector, the development could open new markets for farmers and agribusinesses while encouraging investment in food processing, packaging, storage and distribution. Stronger links between agricultural producers and manufacturers would also help improve the competitiveness of Ghanaian products in regional markets.
The Afienya project is being developed against the backdrop of growing activity within Ghana’s free zones sector. According to figures presented by Ghana Free Zones Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Mary Awusi, enterprises operating under the scheme recorded approximately $2.34 billion in exports and $161 million in capital investment by the second quarter of 2026.
The sector had also licensed 334 enterprises and generated 78,155 direct jobs and more than 84,000 indirect jobs, highlighting its contribution to industrial production, export earnings and employment.
President Mahama has linked the Afienya development to his administration’s proposed $10 billion New Economy Programme, scheduled to begin in 2027. The programme envisages annual investments of $2 billion in productive sectors, including agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing and supporting infrastructure.
The President believes increased investment in these sectors will help Ghana produce more of the goods it consumes, expand exports and create employment opportunities for its growing population.
The industrial park is also expected to strengthen Ghana’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), whose Secretariat is headquartered in Accra. With access to a continental market of more than 1.4 billion people, Ghana is seeking to position its manufacturing sector to benefit from expanding trade opportunities across Africa.
Mahama has urged greater efforts to connect Ghanaian manufacturers with markets in West Africa and beyond, stressing the importance of making locally produced goods more competitive.
He has directed the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry to work closely with the Ghana Free Zones Authority and private investors to attract businesses capable of establishing viable operations at Afienya. The President also called for training programmes that would equip residents of Afienya and surrounding communities with the skills needed to benefit from employment opportunities generated by the park.
The development will require substantial investment in roads, electricity, water, telecommunications and other essential infrastructure. Dr Awusi has acknowledged that the Ghana Free Zones Authority’s resources alone will not be sufficient to finance the entire project, making partnerships with private investors and other stakeholders important to its successful implementation.
For Ghanaian businesses, the availability of serviced industrial land could help address some of the difficulties associated with establishing manufacturing operations, particularly access to infrastructure and suitable locations. The project’s proximity to Tema Harbour could also reduce logistical challenges for companies involved in international trade.
The Afienya Industrial Park forms part of Ghana’s continuing efforts to expand its manufacturing base and increase the value of goods produced within the country. With investors already securing space and the government seeking additional partnerships, attention will now turn to the pace of construction, infrastructure delivery and the establishment of operational factories.
The success of the project will be measured by the industries it attracts, the products manufactured, the exports generated and the jobs created for Ghanaians.