Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has cautioned government institutions against frustrating investors in the Gomoa Central Special Economic Zone.
Prof Opoku-Agyemang maintained that the project aligns with government’s 24-hour economy and accelerated export development policies.
During a site visit to the Gomoa Central Special Economic Zone on January 8, a proposed project by the MP for the area, Kwame Asare Obeng, the Vice President expressed the government’s commitment to the project’s realisation, citing its potential to generate numerous employment opportunities.
“It aligns directly with our national priorities, industrialization, the 24-hour economy policy, export drivers and all kinds of diversification; and value addition too. Government is fully committed to mobilizing all relevant state institutions to support this initiative,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang assured.
On his part, the Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, also known as A Plus noted that the project would be completed within the next ten years and appealed for institutional support.
“By 2036 this Zone will not be a dream. It’ll be a living reality. We shall not give up; we will work 24 hours a day. We will fall, we will rise and we’ll be here when the doubters are gone. And we’ll be here when they come back to witness the amazing handiwork of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and his Excellency John Dramani Mahama,” he posited.
“We’re not asking for government for money, budgetary allocation or state financing. We’re asking for institutional support and a reset mindset,” Asare Obeng added.
The Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang then underscored the need for government institutions to desist from delaying investors who would want to pitch into the project.
“No serious investor should face delays of uncoordinated government action. Let us put all of this behind us and move forward as a country. This initiative is practical and grounded. Factories, warehouses, logistics centres, agro-processing units, technology parts and export-oriented industries will develop here and jobs will follow,” she explained.
Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene commended the project and urged Africa’s financial institutions to come aboard.
“The honourable was expressing to us the vision of transforming a particular constituency into being globally competitive; I believe it’s entirely within reach. Development finance institutions such as Africa Development Bank, AfriExim Bank, Africa 50 will have to contribute to ensure that they invest in Africa’s development,” Wamkele Mene noted.
Chiefs of the area welcomed the initiative and asked for the Gomoa Central Special Economic Zone to be expedited to help the growth of communities.
Situated at Bewuadze in the Gomoa Central District of the Central Region, the Special Economic zone is expected to feature industrial parks, residential apartments, and eco-parks, among other amenities.
The 21-acre land will also feature an eco-recreational park, organic farming zones and a 24-hour business district.
By Laud Adu-Asare
