President John Dramani Mahama has declared that Ghana can no longer rely on exporting raw materials while importing finished products, insisting that the country’s future prosperity depends on industrialisation, value addition, and export-led growth.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for the Tema Integrated Industrial Park (TIIP), President Mahama described the project as a major step towards repositioning Ghana as a competitive manufacturing and industrial hub under the Government’s 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme.
According to the President, Ghana possesses abundant natural resources, but the country’s true wealth will only be realised when those resources are processed locally into finished products for domestic consumption and international markets.
“For far too long, Ghana has exported its raw materials and imported finished goods at a higher cost. That model cannot continue if we are serious about creating sustainable jobs and building a resilient economy.”
President Mahama said the Tema Integrated Industrial Park would serve as a catalyst for industrial transformation by attracting investment, encouraging innovation, and creating thousands of employment opportunities for Ghanaians.
“This industrial park is more than just infrastructure. It is a platform for production, innovation, technology transfer and wealth creation. It represents our determination to build an economy that adds value before exporting.”
The President explained that the initiative aligns with Government’s broader vision of a 24-hour economy, where industries operate around the clock to maximise productivity, boost exports and stimulate economic growth.
He noted that manufacturing remains one of the strongest pathways to reducing unemployment, particularly among young people, while strengthening Ghana’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“Our goal is clear—to transform Ghana from a raw material-exporting economy into a manufacturing and export powerhouse. We want to produce more here, employ more Ghanaians here and export more products proudly made in Ghana.”
President Mahama further stressed that industrialisation would encourage technology transfer, develop local expertise and strengthen domestic supply chains, making Ghana less vulnerable to external economic shocks.
He called on local and international investors to take advantage of the opportunities the industrial park presents, assuring them of Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for business.
“Government will continue to partner with the private sector because sustainable industrial growth cannot be achieved by government alone. Together, we can build industries that will serve Ghana, Africa and the global market.”
The Tema Integrated Industrial Park is expected to become one of Ghana’s flagship industrial projects, supporting manufacturing, logistics, agro-processing and export-oriented industries as the country pursues its ambition of becoming a leading industrial economy in West Africa.
The project forms a central pillar of the Government’s strategy to diversify the economy, increase exports, reduce dependence on imports and create long-term, high-quality employment for Ghanaians.
