Accra, July 11, GNA –The government is planning to relocate the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat to a redeveloped Ghana Trade Fair site.
The move forms part of the government’s vision of making the Trade Fair site a regional and continental hub for investment and trade.
“The redevelopment of the trade fair site signifies not just a physical alteration of bricks and mortar but a symbol of the future. These 156 acres that we have here may very well be the light that burst through the continent of progress, innovation and an unwavering commitment to redefining our commerce and trade” Mr Ken Ofori- Atta, the Minister of Finance said.
He made the remarks at the opening of the Second Investor Conference on the Ghana Trade Fair Site Redevelopment Project.
The finance minister said the location of the headquarters of the AfCFTA in Ghana was an opportunity to forge new partnerships and create meaningful connections as the country embarked on a journey of growth and prosperity.
“The AfCFTA happens to be here and which for me is the economic emancipation that is necessarily the net drive for this whole issue of where Africa should be,” he said.
He indicated that the government would continue to fast-track the search for investment for growth-oriented programmes that interlock with Africa’s aspirations as captured in Africa Union (AU) Agenda 2063.
The redevelopment of the Ghana Trade Fair Site, which covers 156 acres, will be rolled out in two phases.
The first phase entails the development of about 100 acres for facilities such as a Modern convention centre, exhibition halls, technology hub, business parks, and commercial offices, among others.
The residual land of about 56 acres would be developed in the second phase of the project which would comprise the AfCFTA secretariat and residential facilities.
Speaking on the relocation of the AfCFTA secretariat, Dr Agnes Adu, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited (GTFCL) said, “his excellency Nana Akufo-Addo has carved out a portion of the Land where the headquarters of the Secretariat will be part of the project.”
She assured investors of the needed guarantees on investment since the project was government-backed.
GTFCL was established by an Executive Instrument (EI) in 1960 as a project to facilitate Ghana’s post-independence trade and industrialization drive.
A 239.92 -acre land was originally acquired for this purpose through EI 10 to highlight Ghana’s exports with the intention to attract investors into its fledgling economy.
Since then, the GTFCL has metamorphosed into a limited liability company strategically positioned to promote and facilitate trade in Ghana.
