The government is seeking to turn Ghana’s Central Region into a major industrial and export base, with plans spanning a 21,000-acre special economic zone, garment manufacturing, agro-processing and the revival of the Komenda Sugar Factory.
The strategy, outlined by Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare at the opening of the fifth Central Regional Expo in Cape Coast on Monday, comes as Ghana’s non-traditional exports reach record levels and policymakers push for greater value addition.
Ghana’s non-traditional export earnings rose 30.7% to US$5.01 billion in 2025 from US$3.83 billion a year earlier, according to the Ghana Export Promotion Authority. Processed and semi-processed products accounted for 83.47% of the total, strengthening the case for investment in manufacturing and agro-processing rather than the export of raw commodities.
“The Central Region’s fertile agricultural areas, fishing economy, renowned educational institutions and important tourism and heritage assets provide a strong foundation for economic transformation,” Ofosu-Adjare said at the Expo.
The most ambitious project is the Gomoa Central Special Economic Zone, covering about 21,000 acres and planned to accommodate more than 200 factories. Government estimates the development could create approximately 60,000 jobs, adding an industrial cluster to a region whose economy has traditionally been driven by agriculture, fishing, tourism and services.
The project had previously been announced as a US$1.5 billion development, positioning it among the larger proposed industrial investments outside Ghana’s established industrial centres.
The Minister also disclosed that Cape Coast is one of three locations selected for garment factories, with feasibility studies already underway. The initiative is expected to connect skills development with factory employment and entrepreneurship, potentially creating opportunities across garment production, logistics, packaging and related services.
The government is also seeking a strategic investor for the Komenda Sugar Factory after appointing transaction advisers to identify potential operators. The factory has an installed capacity of 1,250 tonnes of sugarcane per day but has struggled with inadequate capital, deteriorating infrastructure and unreliable raw-material supply. In February, the facility was disconnected from electricity and water supplies over unpaid bills.
Ofosu-Adjare said productive infrastructure established under the completed Rural Enterprises Programme at locations including Assin Foso, Agona Swedru, Anomabo and Twifo Praso must be put to work to support agro-processing and create markets for farmers.
The investment push comes against a backdrop of stronger export performance. Ghana’s processed and semi-processed exports generated US$3.09 billion in 2025, up 52.78% from the previous year, according to the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA). Agricultural non-traditional exports also increased 37.82% to US$710.3 million.
That growth provides a potential market for the Central Region’s proposed industrial infrastructure, particularly if factories can secure reliable supplies of agricultural produce and connect efficiently to domestic and regional markets.
Government is also linking the projects to its Export Ghana agenda and the Accelerated Export Development Programme, with AfCFTA providing access to a continental market of more than one billion consumers.
“The initiative is aimed at helping Ghanaian businesses improve product quality, packaging and standards to compete successfully both locally and internationally,” the Minister said, stressing the need for hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses to source more Ghanaian products.
The Central Region already has land, agricultural production, tourism assets and a growing SME base, but converting those advantages into factories and export capacity will require infrastructure, financing, reliable utilities, skilled labour and commercially viable operators.
