The first phase of a multi-purpose industrial park project opened here on Thursday to help Ghana add value to its raw materials and create jobs for the youth.
The Bright International Free Zones project, located at Afienya, near the Ghanaian capital, is the initiative of Greenhouse International Development Group, a Chinese consortium.
An elated Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who commissioned the project, described the project as very important for the country.
“I am very happy that this project is coming up because it is another example of the growing economic relationship between China and Ghana,” he said.
Akufo-Addo also commissioned a tomato processing factory set up by Leefound Food Stuffs ltd, which is the first factory to open in the enclave.
The park on 800 acres of land located about 20 kilometers from the eastern seaport in Tema, and 30 kilometers from the main International airport in the capital, is expected to become the largest free zones enclave in West Africa on completion.
“This industrial park has the potential to enable Ghana to develop the largest export market on the continent and participate in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” Akufo-Addo added.
The Bright International Free Zones industrial park developed under the Chinese “Belt and Road” initiative, in line with Ghana’s ‘One District One Factory’ program, is expected to integrate 100 factories, 1000 storefronts, and create 50,000 direct jobs and 250,000 indirect jobs.
Chinese ambassador to Ghana, Wang Shiting said China supports Ghana’s ‘One District One Factory’ idea because such industrial parks had been the driving force behind China’s economic development.
“China and Ghana enjoy profound traditional friendship, and Chinese companies are willing to invest and develop in Ghana to benefit both Chinese companies and their Ghanaian counterparts,” Wang said.
He added that “This free zone enclave will also support Ghana’s ‘One District One Factory’ policy.” Enditem
