Dr Mary Awusi the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority is actively seeking foreign investors to support Ghana’s plans for a round the clock economy.
Speaking at the third US Ghana Business Expo Roundtable and Business to Business Matching event in Lancaster Pennsylvania she outlined the government’s commitment to creating an environment where businesses can operate continuously. She emphasized that this initiative aligns with President John Mahama’s vision to drive productivity generate employment and strengthen the economy.
Dr Awusi highlighted the role of technology in advancing the agricultural sector and promoting agro processing and manufacturing. She noted that the private sector would play a crucial role in this transformation and that incentives would be provided to encourage investment.
As part of these efforts she introduced the Accelerated Export Development Programme which aims to improve conditions for exporters and enhance their competitiveness on the international market. She also pointed to the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area which is headquartered in Ghana and provides access to a vast market of over one point three billion people with a combined gross domestic product of three point four trillion dollars.
She further referenced the National Export Development Strategy which is designed to expand Ghana’s export base diversify its markets and strengthen the non traditional export sector. The strategy aims to consolidate Ghana’s middle income status create formal job opportunities and improve the standard of living.
Dr Awusi encouraged American investors to consider key sectors such as healthcare global business services trade and agriculture. She noted that Ghana’s healthcare sector offers significant potential for investment in medical infrastructure pharmaceuticals and telemedicine.
She also stressed the importance of agriculture to the Ghanaian economy pointing out the country’s vast arable land and commitment to agro processing. She stated that investments in this sector would support value addition and enhance export competitiveness positioning Ghana as a leading supplier of high quality agricultural products.
Assuring potential investors of government support she emphasized that the Ghana Free Zones Authority is prepared to assist businesses looking to explore opportunities within the Free Zones and beyond.
The US Ghana Business Expo was organized by the US Ghana Chamber of Commerce in Philadelphia in collaboration with the US Commercial Service the Association of Ghana Industries the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Millersville University. The event provided a platform for more than twenty Ghanaian businesses to engage with their American counterparts across various sectors including agriculture energy healthcare transportation trade fintech real estate and technology.
