In a high-profile move to decentralize the nation’s economic growth strategy, the management and board of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) have paid a historic courtesy call to the Manhyia Palace on the upcoming Ashanti Regional Investment Forum.
The delegation, led by Board Chairman Dr. Akwasi Opong-Fosu and CEO Mr. Simon Madjie, visited the seat of the Asante Kingdom to formally brief the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II of the GIPC’s nationwide Investment Opportunities Mapping Project (IOMP) – an initiative designed to unlock the untapped economic potential within Ghana’s sixteen regions.
“The visit was to formally brief the Asantehene on the Centre’s plans to spotlight investment opportunities in the Ashanti Region and to seek his blessings and counsel ahead of the forum. The visit was a strategic recognition of the role that traditional authorities play in land tenure, social stability, and the promotion of Industrialization”
Ghana Investment Promotion Centre
The GIPC ensured that its efforts to attract global capital into the Ashanti Region are grounded in local legitimacy and cultural alignment by seeking the counsel and blessings of the Asantehene. The delegation was received on behalf of the Asantehene by the Paramount Chief of Offinso, Nana Dwamena Akenten II, and the Chief of Staff at the Manhyia Palace, Nana Kofi Badu, highlighting the gravity of this collaboration.
For decades, the bulk of foreign direct investment (FDI) has been concentrated in the Greater Accra Region, leading to an imbalance in infrastructure development and job creation. The government, through the GIPC, is now aggressively pivoting toward a model of “Balanced Regional Development.”
During the engagement, Dr. Opong-Fosu reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to connecting international investors directly with regional stakeholders, as the Ashanti Region, with its vast mineral wealth, fertile lands, and entrepreneurial spirit, is positioned to be a primary beneficiary of this new investment mapping strategy.
According to the GIPC, the upcoming Ashanti Regional Investment Forum is expected to be a catalyst for several key sectors, particularly manufacturing and Agriculture. The Centre aims to identify specific “investible” projects within the region and create a pipeline of opportunities that are ready for capital injection.
This approach removes the guesswork for potential investors, providing them with verified data on land availability, raw material proximity, and local labor markets. It is a pragmatic shift from general promotion to project-specific matchmaking, a move that is essential for sustaining the nation’s economic recovery through 2026.
Agribusiness and Manufacturing
Central to the GIPC’s mission in the Ashanti Region is the promotion of agribusiness – a sector that bridges the gap between traditional Agriculture and modern Industrialization. The region is already a powerhouse in cocoa, oil palm, and food crop production, but the Administration’s goal is to transition these raw outputs into high-value processed goods.
The Investment Opportunities Mapping Project is specifically looking for projects that can establish processing plants close to the farmgate, thereby reducing post-harvest losses and increasing the incomes of local farmers.
Mr. Simon Madjie, the CEO of GIPC, noted that the forum would provide a platform for business leaders to pitch directly to investors. This “marketplace” environment is designed to foster partnerships in the manufacturing sector, where the Ashanti Region’s central location offers a logistical advantage for distributing goods across the northern and southern belts of the country.
By focusing on these twin pillars, the GIPC is not just seeking “any” investment; it is seeking “strategic” investment that builds domestic resilience and creates long-term, sustainable employment for the youth in the region.
“The upcoming forum will bring together stakeholders, traditional authorities, and business leaders to highlight opportunities across sectors including manufacturing, agribusiness, tourism, and mining. This is essential for advancing balanced and sustainable economic development”
Ghana Investment Promotion Centre
The endorsement from the Manhyia Palace carries significant weight in the investor community. For many foreign entities, the complexity of land acquisition and local community relations can be a deterrent.
However, by working closely with the Asantehene and the regional traditional councils, the GIPC has signaled that the Ashanti Region is “open for business,” with a stable and supportive environment. The Centre views the involvement of traditional leaders as a safeguard for investors, ensuring that projects have the necessary social license to operate.
Nana Dwamena Akenten II, speaking on behalf of the Asantehene, commended the GIPC for its foresight in bringing investment promotion to the doorsteps of the regional people.
24-Hour Economy
The GIPC further noted that the Ashanti Regional Investment Forum is also a critical piece of the broader “24-Hour Economy” strategy.
By attracting industries that can operate on multiple shifts – such as food processing, mining equipment manufacturing, and textile production – the region can significantly increase its economic output.
The GIPC’s mapping project identifies which sectors are most suitable for this “always-on” model, ensuring that infrastructure investments like power and security are directed toward the areas with the highest potential for round-the-clock productivity.
As the delegation concluded its visit, there was a palpable sense of momentum. The GIPC is no longer waiting for investors to find Ghana; it is actively shaping the narrative and the opportunities.
With the blessing of the Asantehene and a clear mandate from the government, the upcoming forum in Kumasi is set to be a turning point for the Ashanti Region.
It represents a move toward a more inclusive, regionally diverse economy where the benefits of Industrialization are felt in every corner of the nation, from the bustling streets of Kumasi to the productive farmlands of the hinterlands.
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