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According to Mr Mike Oquaye Jr, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, work on the $100 million Greater Kumasi Industrial City Project.
which aims to establish Kumasi the country’s second industrial city, will begin next month.
It is intended to grow the local economy by creating at least 5,000 direct jobs and over 12,000 indirect jobs once completed.
It is also planned that under the free zone model, enterprises in some priority areas will be able to operate in the industrial city.
Cocoa processing, light industrial manufacturing, heavy industrial manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, services, and a cyber village are among the priority industries.
The money for the project comes from a World Bank loan to Ghana to help develop the Greater Kumasi Industrial Park.
It’s taking place on a 1,099-acre Free Zones Authority property in the Ejisu Traditional Area’s Boankra, Ampabame, Edwenase, Abenase, Donaso, Hwereso, and Aduakorokyere.
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The World Bank has hired consultants to conduct several exercises, including site assessement, best practice benchmarking, environmental and social impact assessment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, in order to get the project up and running on time. On-the-ground inspection is set to begin in October this year.
Mr Oquaye Jr said the site — which was bought in 2005 as one of Ghana’s Export Processing Zones under the Free Zones Authority — was set to receive the needed facelift as Ghana positioned itself as the sub-export region’s hub during an inspection visit to the Ashanti Region.
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He also stated that the development of the Boankra site would pave the way for the establishment of a social service center and a biotech center in Greater Kumasi.
Assurance from the Minister
Mr Simon Osei-Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, guaranteed the Free Zones Authority of his assistance in making the industrial city proposal a reality during a meeting.
He expressed confidence that, once completed, the project will aid the country’s industrialization efforts and provide jobs for the country’s burgeoning youth.
