The Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama, has pledged to support the Ghana Free Zones Authority’s (GFZA) Investment Week Promotion.
He expressed his readiness to personally work with the GFZA, and assured the team of his full support.
He made the promise when the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GFZA, Mr Michael Okyere Baafi, led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on him at the Gbewaa Palace in Tamale.
The Northern Regional capital, Tamale, is the host of this year’s Investment Week Promotion.
GFZA is of the firm belief that it was necessary to take the whole free zones concept to the Northern Region and to particularly drive local entrepreneurs into the free zones sector.
The purpose of the visit was to seek the support and blessing of the Yaa-Naa for GFZA’s activities in the region.
The Yaa-Naa prayed for the GFZA delegation and called for progress and success in all their endeavours.
The courtesy call was also a great opportunity to keep Yaa-Naa abreast of the critical functions of the Free Zones Authority and what local entrepreneurs stand to benefit from the authority.
In a remark, Mr Baafi indicated that a critical moment has come for the Free Zones to include indigenous Ghanaian businesses and entrepreneurs.
He said that over the years, the Investment Promotion Week had been held in Accra, Takoradi, and Kumasi, among other regions, hence it was appropriate to bring the event this year to Tamale as the gateway to reach more investors and local entrepreneurs up north.
He expressed his utmost appreciation to the Yaa-Naa for the warm reception, and promised to keep close ties with his royal kingdom.
Over the years, the perception has been that the Ghana free zones regime is mainly tailored towards attracting only foreign investors.
Under the Akufo-Addo-led administration, the drive is to consciously have a free zone enclave in as many regions as practicable as a way of attracting more local investments.
The Ghana Free Zones Authority was established on August 31, 1995 by an Act of Parliament–the Free Zones Act, 1995 (Act 504), to enable the establishment of free zones in Ghana for the promotion of economic development, to provide for the regulation of activities in the free zones and for related purposes.
The Ghana free zones programme combines both the enclave and single-factory enterprise schemes, which is designated to provide processing and manufacturing of goods through the establishment of Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and encourage the development of commercial and service activities at sea and airport areas.
The Ghana Free Zones CEO was in the company of a delegation from his outfit, including the Head of Marketing, Anita Quarshie; Hajia Hanatu Abubakar, Western Regional Manager; Kwame Nsiah Asante, Head of Estate and Enclave Development; Mrs Kristine Lartey, Head of Legal; and Dr Susan Aga Alo, who is a board member.
Source: The Finder
