The Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) has taken a major step towards the development of its proposed Special Economic Zone at Afienya with the hosting of a Joint Technical Meeting to review the Draft Local Plan for the project.
The meeting, held at the GFZA Head Office in Cantonments, Accra, brought together technical officers from the two host district assemblies, the Ningo-Prampram District Assembly and the Shai-Osudoku District Assembly.
The engagement is part of efforts by the Authority to transform its newly acquired 1,238-acre site at Afienya into a modern, well planned Special Economic Zone that will drive industrialization, attract investment and create jobs.
To ensure orderly and sustainable development of the enclave, the GFZA engaged the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority, LUSPA, to prepare a comprehensive Local Plan that will guide land use, infrastructure provision and overall spatial management of the proposed zone.
Participants included district planning officers, district engineers, physical planning officers and environmental health officers from the two assemblies. Also present were representatives of critical state agencies whose mandates touch on land, environment and infrastructure development.
These included the Lands Commission, Environmental Protection Authority, EPA, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Water Company Limited, Ghana Hydrological Services Agency, Department of Urban Roads and the National Disaster Management Organisation, NADMO.
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Operations at the GFZA, Mr. Lateef Apau Wiredu, expressed appreciation to all participating institutions for their commitment to the project. He particularly commended LUSPA for its professionalism and technical expertise in drafting the Local Plan within a relatively short period.
The Strategic Significance of the Afienya Special Zone Project
Mr. Wiredu underscored the strategic significance of the Afienya project to Ghana’s industrial transformation agenda, noting that its location, size and proximity to key transport corridors make it an ideal enclave for both local and foreign investors.
He stressed that the Authority is determined to ensure a participatory and inclusive planning process that incorporates the perspectives of all relevant stakeholders to guarantee successful implementation and long-term sustainability.
“We want to get the planning right from the beginning. The Afienya SEZ is not just about acquiring land, it is about creating a functional, sustainable and globally competitive industrial city.”
Mr. Appau
The meeting was facilitated by the Greater Accra Regional Director of LUSPA, Madam Okyere, who explained that the technical review was a critical step in the statutory planning process towards securing final approval for the Local Plan.
She noted that the proposed Afienya SEZ forms part of the larger 13,200 acre Shai Afienya Dawhenya Industrial Enclave and Urban Renewal Project being promoted by government as part of its broader spatial development framework for the Greater Accra Region.
According to her, aligning the Local Plan for the 1,238-acre GFZA site with the bigger enclave plan is essential to avoid land use conflicts, ensure infrastructure coherence and promote efficient service delivery.
Presenting the Draft Local Plan, Mr. Elvis Mensah of LUSPA outlined the proposed land use structure, road network, utility corridors, industrial plots, green buffers, commercial and support service zones, as well as provisions for environmental protection and disaster risk management.
He explained that the plan has taken into consideration flood mapping data from the Hydrological Services Agency, water supply and drainage requirements, fire safety access routes, and the need for resilient infrastructure in the face of climate change.
The presentation was followed by detailed deliberations, with participants offering inputs, observations and recommendations to improve the plan. Issues discussed included access roads and linkages to the Tema-Aflao highway, provision of adequate water and electricity, waste management systems, and measures to ensure the safety of workers and surrounding communities.
The Call for Adequate Provision
Officials from the Ghana National Fire Service called for adequate provision for fire hydrants and emergency access routes, while the Environmental Protection Authority emphasized the need for strict environmental safeguards and buffer zones.
Representatives of the District Assemblies also pledged their support for the project and called for close collaboration during implementation to ensure that local development aspirations and job creation for residents are prioritised.
According to LUSPA, the inputs and recommendations gathered at the meeting will be incorporated into the draft before it is forwarded to the relevant Spatial Planning Committees for consideration and approval as required by law. Also present at the meeting were the Head of Estate and Zones Development at GFZA, Mr. Benjamin Obeng, and other senior officers of the Authority.
The review exercise, the GFZA said, demonstrates its commitment to strategic spatial planning, inter-agency collaboration and sustainable development principles in the establishment of special economic zones. When completed, the Afienya Special Economic Zone is expected to serve as a major catalyst for industrial growth, attracting significant foreign direct investment, boosting export oriented manufacturing, and creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs for youth in the Greater Accra Region and beyond.
The project is also expected to complement existing industrial zones, including the Tema Export Processing Zone and the Dawa Industrial Zone, in positioning Ghana as a leading manufacturing hub in West Africa.
The GFZA has assured stakeholders that it will continue to engage all relevant parties as the project moves from the planning phase to infrastructure development and investor mobilization
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