Gov't to overhaul free zones into manufacturing hubs for local production - Trade Minister
Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, announced plans to reposition Ghana's special economic zones on April 4, 2026, at the Kwahu Convention Centre. She said the move would mark "a strategic shift from the zones' long-standing role as export enclaves to production centres focused on adding value to locally produced goods." The repositioning is part of wider government efforts to stimulate industrial activity and promote the processing of agricultural raw materials within the country.
The Minister indicated that the zones would increasingly function as hubs for production and value addition, rather than facilities primarily used for export processing under tax incentive regimes. She disclosed that targeted industrial policies had been developed to guide growth in key sectors, including textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals, and automobile components. Work on the textiles and garments policy began in mid-2025, while the pharmaceutical policy is designed to address Africa's heavy dependence on imported medicines.
Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare recalled that stakeholder consultations on a revised automotive policy were held in Accra on January 23, 2026, bringing together industry players, regulators and development partners ahead of its finalisation. She urged the private sector to play a more active role by investing in technology, skills development, corporate governance and standards compliance. The 2026 Kwahu Business Forum is being held under the theme "The Future of Business: Scaling Up Local Enterprise."
Quick Summary
Trade Minister Ofosu-Adjare shared government's plans regarding Ghana's special economic zones. The move aims to support agro-processing and light manufacturing- but what does this mean for local industrial production?
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