The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) has launched a strategic regional investment drive to decentralize capital inflows and accelerate job creation through the Investment Opportunities Mapping Project (IOMP) in the Western Region.
At the recently held Western Regional Investment Forum, GIPC Board Chairman, Dr. Akwasi Opong-Fosu, emphasized that the mission is to transition the region from a purely resource-extractive hub into a diversified, value-added industrial economy.
“By aligning high-impact projects with traditional authorities and local assemblies, GIPC is prioritizing investments that deliver tangible results in agro-processing, port logistics, and energy-enabled manufacturing”
Dr. Akwasi Opong-Fosu, GIPC Board Chairman
The forum served as a tactical bridge between potential investors and ready-to-execute projects across the Western Region’s diverse ecological and industrial zones. Dr. Opong-Fosu reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to providing a “one-stop” facilitation service that reduces the bureaucratic burden on private sector partners while ensuring that investments contribute to local skills transfer and export growth.
“Our objective is simple: to stimulate local economic development, create jobs for our youth, and enhance the competitiveness of our regions. Through the Investment Opportunities Mapping Project, we are bridging the urban-rural development gap and empowering local economies to thrive.
“We are not just looking for investors; we are looking for partners ready to turn local potential into national prosperity”
Dr. Akwasi Opong-Fosu, GIPC Board Chairman
The forum highlighted the unique geographic advantages of specific coastal districts, positioning them as strategic gateways for international trade. Mr. Inusa Wuni of the Shama Municipal Assembly showcased his district’s potential in cassava processing and fisheries, noting that modern farming and tourism remain major untapped frontiers.
Similarly, Mr. Jael Ali Mahama of the Ahanta West Municipal Assembly emphasized the district’s proximity to Takoradi Port as a vital asset for logistics and sustainable industrial hubs.
The Western Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Nelson, underscored that the region is “open for business,” but stressed the need for investments that move beyond primary mineral extraction to integrated value chains in agriculture and coastal industry.
“The state of the economy is such that we cannot rely solely on the central government for everything. Private sector investment is imperative and significant. We have to look out for partners who are concerned about development so we can work together”
Hon. Joseph Nelson, Western Regional Minister
Infrastructure and Healthcare
Beyond industrial manufacturing, the GIPC forum addressed the critical infrastructure gaps that underpin economic productivity. Discussions included the planned four-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Takoradi Hospital, a project intended to improve critical care access for the region’s growing workforce.
Hon. Joseph Nelson noted that world-class healthcare is a prerequisite for attracting global capital and ensuring the long-term well-being of local communities.
The GIPC Board Chairman, Dr. Opong-Fosu noted that the “Big PUSH” framework for infrastructure modernization is designed to support the 24-hour economy by ensuring that energy and logistics systems remain robust enough to support round-the-clock productivity.
The forum concluded with a clear call to action for stakeholders to move past high-level discussions toward project implementation.
GIPC noted that it intends to use the data gathered from the IOMP to create an online “Investment Readiness” platform, allowing investors to access real-time information on regional opportunities. This decentralization strategy is viewed as the most effective path to reducing rural-urban migration and fostering equitable national development.
“The warmth and unity of the Western Region reflect an alignment with national development aspirations. By leveraging data, innovation, and partnerships, we can unlock the unique economic strengths of every district”
Dr. Akwasi Opong-Fosu, GIPC Board Chairman
