Mr. Abdul Razak Baba, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), has led a strategic charge to reposition the Central Region as Ghana’s next frontier for high-value industrial growth at the Central Regional Investment Forum.
Mr. Baba unveiled the Centre’s flagship Investment Opportunity Mapping Project (IOMP), a granular data-driven initiative designed to connect global capital with untapped local resources – noting that the Central Region is no longer just a heritage site for tourism but a burgeoning hub for climate-smart agribusiness, fisheries, and light manufacturing that is ready for large-scale commercial scaling.
“The Central Region is a rising investment destination. Through our flagship Investment Opportunity Mapping Project, we are highlighting viable projects like the Akwaaba Integrated Poultry Feed and the Sophron Climate-Smart Irrigation Project.
“These ventures underline the potential for sustainable growth and position the region as a preferred destination for inclusive economic expansion”
Mr. Abdul Razak Baba, Deputy CEO of GIPC
The forum served as a high-level convergence of political, traditional, and business leaders, all echoing a singular theme: the Central Region is open for business. The GIPC highlighted several “shovel-ready,” projects that exemplify the region’s diverse potential.
In addition to the Akwaaba Integrated Poultry Feed and Farming project, and the Sophron Climate-Smart Irrigation Project, is the Quin Organics agro-processing factory. By showcasing these specific ventures, the IOMP aims to move beyond generic investment promotion and toward targeted deal-making that yields sustainable, localized economic returns.
Industrializing Gomoa Central
A significant highlight of the forum was the bold vision shared by the Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Hon. Kwame Asare Obeng. He advocated for the establishment of a modern seaport and the Gomoa Central Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
The proposed SEZ would serve as a catalyst for industrialization, creating a logistical gateway that links Central Regional producers directly to global trade routes. This proposal aligns with the broader government strategy to decentralize industrial growth and reduce the congestion of trade activities within the Greater Accra enclave.
Central Regional Minister and former Gomoa East MP, Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, reinforced this vision by urging investors to leverage the existing support structures already in place.
“We urge investors to explore these opportunities and leverage the support structures we have in place,” the Minister said, emphasizing that the region’s economic and cultural assets provide a unique competitive advantage for investors looking for stability and community integration.
“Stronger engagement with traditional authorities is also essential to ensure that infrastructure and local industry promote true regional development,” he added.
The Success of Ekumfi
To provide a practical blueprint for success, a GIPC delegation conducted a working visit to the Ekumfi Fruits and Juices Company earlier.
As a flagship of the “One District, One Factory,” initiative, Ekumfi has successfully integrated large-scale pineapple cultivation with a sophisticated outgrower scheme. The factory produces 100 percent natural, additive-free juices, demonstrating that Ghanaian agribusiness can meet international quality standards while simultaneously empowering local farmers.
Director of Operations at Ekumfi, Frederick Kobbyna Acquaah, highlighted the company’s dual role as an economic engine and a waste-reduction specialist. By providing a guaranteed market for pineapples within the Ekumfi enclave, the company has drastically reduced post-harvest losses that previously crippled the income of local farmers.
This model of “value-added farming,” is exactly what GIPC intends to replicate across the region using the IOMP framework.
“Enterprises like Ekumfi Fruits and Juices exemplify the agribusiness potential we are promoting. GIPC is committed to connecting investors with viable opportunities and promoting inclusive economic growth.
“Through the IOMP, we will continue to attract strategic partnerships that leverage regional resources. We are positioning the Central Region not just as a participant, but as a leader in Ghana’s industrial and trade landscape”
Mr. Abdul Razak Baba, Deputy CEO of GIPC
Beyond highlighting these, the forum also benefited from the insights of Madam Charlotte Osei, the Safohen of the Ogua Traditional Area, who called for deeper partnerships between local entrepreneurs and foreign investors. She argued that local resources can only be fully unlocked when global expertise meets indigenous knowledge.
This sentiment was echoed by Odeefuo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, who stressed that traditional authorities are ready to facilitate land access and community cooperation for serious investors.
As the forum concluded, GIPC reaffirmed its commitment to providing the necessary hand-holding for investors. By mapping every viable opportunity in the Central Region, the Centre is ensuring that no potential project is overlooked due to a lack of data or connectivity.
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