Afienya Industrial Park to Boost Ghana’s Industrial Capacity, Create Jobs
The development of the Afienya Industrial Park is expected to expand Ghana’s industrial capacity, attract investment, create jobs and boost exports as the country intensifies efforts to promote industrialisation and economic growth.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), Dr Mary Awusi, said this during the sod-cutting ceremony for the project on Thursday.
She said the 1,238-acre industrial park was envisioned as a modern, environmentally sustainable and globally competitive hub where multinational companies could operate alongside Ghanaian businesses.
Dr Awusi said the facility would provide serviced industrial land and essential infrastructure to support investments in manufacturing, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, logistics, technology and renewable energy.
She disclosed that 14 companies had already been allocated land within the park, an indication of growing investor interest in the project.
According to her, the park’s strategic location within the Greater Accra industrial corridor, coupled with its proximity to the Tema Port and Kotoka International Airport, would provide investors with convenient access to local and international markets.
She said the project would also complement the Tema Export Processing Zone, which was fully occupied, while creating opportunities for Ghanaian businesses to participate in international supply chains.
Dr Awusi, however, appealed to the Government, development partners and private investors to support the project, explaining that the Authority’s internally generated funds would not be sufficient to finance all the infrastructure required.
She also called for a review of provisions in the Customs Act and the Fiscal and Customs Acts, which she said had eroded some incentives available to Free Zones enterprises and could undermine investor confidence.
“The competitiveness of Free Zones depends on predictable, stable and consistent investment policies,” she said.
Providing an update on the performance of the Free Zones scheme, Dr Awusi said 334 enterprises had been licensed as of the second quarter of 2026, generating 78,155 direct jobs and more than 84,000 indirect jobs.
She said exports by Free Zones enterprises reached US$3.1 billion in 2025, while approximately US$2.34 billion was recorded in the first half of 2026.
Capital investment under the scheme stood at US$279 million in 2025, with about US$161 million recorded by the second quarter of 2026.
Dr Awusi said the Authority was collaborating with relevant government agencies and technical stakeholders to ensure that the park incorporated essential infrastructure, including roads, drainage systems, utilities, environmental management facilities, security and fire safety measures.
The project, she added, would also help Ghana take advantage of opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by strengthening the country’s industrial base and creating avenues for businesses to access wider African markets.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
