President Mahama Demands Published Service Standards For Afienya Industrial PARK

President John Dramani Mahama has called on the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) to establish and publish clear service standards for the Afienya Industrial Park to ensure investors know the services they are entitled to receive and how the Authority’s performance will be assessed.

He made the call at the sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of the industrial park at Afienya as he outlined measures to provide investors with the infrastructure and support needed to establish and operate factories.

“I expect the Ghana Free Zones Authority to incorporate clear service standards into the concession agreements and to publish them,” President Mahama stated.

He explained that investors should be informed about the services available to them, the institutions or parties responsible for delivering those services, and the criteria that would be used to assess performance.

“Investors should know which services they can expect, who is responsible for delivering them, and how performance will be assessed,” he added.

The proposed standards are intended to provide clarity on the obligations of the Authority and other responsible parties, helping investors understand the support available to them when establishing operations within the industrial park.

The President’s directive forms part of efforts to address challenges businesses may face when acquiring land, securing essential services and setting up manufacturing facilities. The Afienya Industrial Park is expected to provide serviced plots, factory shells and infrastructure such as electricity, water, roads, drainage, waste treatment facilities and security.

Covering approximately 1,238 acres, the industrial park is expected to accommodate more than 120 enterprises and serve as an extension of the Ghana Free Zones Authority’s Tema enclave, which has reached full occupancy.

The development is expected to attract investment into manufacturing and export-oriented industries, including agro-processing, textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals, automotive assembly and light engineering.

President Mahama has said the broader objective is to translate investor interest into operational businesses, employment opportunities for Ghanaians and products that can compete in markets across Africa and beyond.

The publication of service standards, together with the provision of essential infrastructure, is expected to give investors clearer expectations of the services available at the industrial park and the responsibilities of those managing its operations.

Richard Aniagyei,ISD