President Mahama Links Factory Expansion at Afienya to 24-Hour Economy Jobs
The expansion of factories at the Bright International Industrial Zone in Afienya is creating employment opportunities for young people, with businesses operating shifts to sustain production throughout the day, President John Dramani Mahama has said.
The President made the observation during a tour of the industrial zone, where he compared the number of factories operating during his latest visit with the smaller number of established businesses he encountered when he visited the area the previous year.
“I was here last year, and there were not too many factories established yet. I have come back again, and I can see that many more factories have come up,” he said.
President Mahama said the growth in industrial activity was beginning to demonstrate the employment potential of the government’s 24-hour economy initiative, particularly for young people working in shifts.
“This is what we talk about when we say the 24-hour economy. It is beginning to show the job creation aspect of it, and we’ve seen a lot of young people who have found work and are working in shifts. Some of them come in the morning, some come in the afternoon, and some come in the evening,” he stated.
During the tour, the President visited Huaguang Battery (GHANA), Qianfeng International Corporation Limited, Jiudine Ghana Corporation, Zema New Energy and Funsheen Truck Assembly Plant. The enterprises are involved in battery production, garment manufacturing, solar energy and truck assembly.
He said the government intended to accelerate industrial development from 2027 through the New Economy Programme, which would channel US$2 billion annually into sectors with strong potential for employment.
The targeted sectors include agriculture and irrigation, agro-processing enclaves, pharmaceutical enclaves, renewable energy and tourism.
President Mahama said the investment would support the creation of jobs for young people while expanding productive activities across the country.
He also acknowledged the contribution of women to manufacturing, particularly in the textile and garment industry, where he said women accounted for more than 90 per cent of the workforce.
“However, in textiles and garments, women make up more than 90 percent of the labour force,” he said, adding that women were also working in industrial areas such as automobile and battery manufacturing.
The President said the government was working to resolve electricity supply challenges at the industrial zone to enable factories to operate reliably in multiple shifts. The Energy Minister and the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) had assured him that the transformer serving the area would be replaced within three weeks.
He urged entrepreneurs to continue expanding their businesses and assured them that the government would work to create an environment that supports investment, manufacturing and employment.
The government expects its industrial promotion efforts, together with investment in job-rich sectors, to expand employment opportunities and strengthen Ghana’s manufacturing base.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
