President John Dramani Mahama has outlined ambitious plans to develop Ghana’s Afram Plains into a specialized agricultural processing zone, positioning the region as a cornerstone of the country’s agro-industrial transformation.
Speaking at the Kwahu Business Forum, the president revealed his administration’s strategy to attract major investment for the project.
The government has designated Afram Plains as a Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ), aligning with a continent-wide development initiative supported by the African Development Bank. Mahama confirmed ongoing discussions to secure substantial funding from the multilateral institution, though he stressed that infrastructure development must precede full implementation.
“Transforming Afram Plains requires foundational investments first,” Mahama told attendees, responding to earlier commentary about the region’s potential. His remarks highlighted the administration’s focus on creating an integrated value chain – from farm production to finished goods – that could stimulate job creation and reduce post-harvest losses.
The proposed development mirrors successful SAPZ models elsewhere in Africa that have boosted regional trade and food security. Ghana’s version aims to capitalize on the plains’ fertile lands while addressing longstanding challenges like transportation bottlenecks and limited processing capacity.
Agricultural economists note that realizing this vision would require coordinated investment in roads, storage facilities, and energy infrastructure – elements Mahama’s administration has prioritized in recent budget allocations. The success of such an ambitious project could reshape economic prospects for the predominantly farming communities in the eastern region, potentially creating a new growth pole for Ghana’s agricultural sector.
With global food supply chains undergoing restructuring, Ghana’s push to develop domestic processing capacity reflects strategic planning for greater food sovereignty. The Afram Plains initiative, if properly executed, could serve as a test case for value-added agriculture across West Africa, where raw commodity exports still dominate many national economies.
