Afienya Industrial Park to benefit from $10bn new economy programme – President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the Afienya Industrial Park will benefit from infrastructure financing under the government’s proposed $10 billion New Economy Programme, aimed at boosting industrial production, attracting investment and creating jobs.

He said part of the funding would be used to provide essential infrastructure required to make the industrial enclave operational and enable businesses to establish factories and commence production without unnecessary delays.

President Mahama made the announcement on Thursday, October 15, 2026, during the sod-cutting ceremony for the Afienya Industrial Park, which is expected to accommodate more than 120 enterprises.

“I was just telling the Chief Executive of the Ghana Free Zones Authority that some of the infrastructure that has to be provided to bring this industrial park into operation, part of the financing for this industrial park’s infrastructure, will be provided under the New Economy Programme,” he said.

The President explained that the New Economy Programme would involve an investment of $10 billion over four years, with the government committing $2 billion annually to productive sectors capable of generating employment and increasing economic output.

According to him, half of the planned investment would be directed towards agriculture and agro-processing, while the remainder would support industry and infrastructure connecting producers to markets.

President Mahama said the programme was intended to build on the gains made in stabilising the economy by shifting the focus towards increased production, higher incomes and sustainable employment.

“With your support, we have stabilised the economy, but our next task is to turn that progress into greater production, higher incomes, and decent and sustainable jobs,” he said.

He added that the programme would help Ghana increase domestic production, reduce dependence on imports and expand exports.

The Minister for Finance is expected to present the full framework of the New Economy Programme to Parliament in the 2027 Budget.

The Afienya Industrial Park covers 1,238 acres and is strategically located along the Eastern Corridor Road, close to the Port of Tema, with the Tema-Mpakadan standard-gauge railway line passing through the industrial enclave.

President Mahama said the location and transport connections would provide businesses with easier access to ports and markets, helping them move raw materials to factories and transport finished products to domestic, regional and international destinations.

The park is planned to offer serviced plots and ready-to-use factory shells, supported by essential facilities such as electricity, water, roads, drainage, waste treatment and telecommunications.

The President said these arrangements would reduce the time and cost between an investor’s decision to establish a business and the commencement of production.

Priority investment areas include cocoa processing, cashew and oil palm processing, textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals, medical consumables, automotive components and assembly, and light engineering.

The park will also provide opportunities for businesses in logistics, data services, business process outsourcing, renewable energy and green manufacturing.

President Mahama said the industrial development should generate benefits beyond the park itself, urging authorities to ensure that local farmers, transport operators, suppliers and small businesses participate in the supply chains serving the enterprises.

He also called for training programmes to prepare residents of Afienya and surrounding communities for employment opportunities that would emerge from the project.

The President said the industrial park would support Ghana’s ambition to become a manufacturing and logistics hub for West Africa and strengthen the country’s ability to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

He urged investors to establish businesses in Ghana and produce quality goods at competitive prices for markets across Africa and beyond.