New Juaben South MP Hails Free Zones Authority's Progress, Urges Act Review
The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Trade, Industry, and Tourism Committee, Michael Okyere Baafi, has praised the Ghana Free Zones Authority for its significant strides in attracting investment, boosting exports, and creating employment opportunities under the Free Zones Programme.
Mr. Baafi, who previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, used a recent visit to urge management to initiate a comprehensive review of the Free Zones Act. He argued that the legislation must keep pace with evolving global trade dynamics to continue meeting the needs of investors and exporters operating within Ghana’s free zones.
“The Free Zones Programme has delivered meaningful results in terms of investment attraction and export promotion, but we cannot afford to be complacent,” Mr. Baafi said. He encouraged the Authority to sustain strong engagement with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry, and Tourism on policy, legislative, and operational matters affecting the sector.
The Ranking Member called for deeper collaboration between the Authority and key international development and financing institutions, particularly the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), as well as other global partners involved in trade, industrialisation, and economic development. He noted that enhanced strategic partnerships could unlock opportunities for infrastructure expansion, investment mobilisation, and improved access to financing for Ghana’s Free Zones ecosystem.
The visit comes at a time when Ghana is seeking to strengthen its position as a preferred destination for investment and exports on the African continent. The government’s broader economic agenda, which includes significant infrastructure spending, provides a supportive backdrop for initiatives aimed at boosting industrial competitiveness.
Mr. Baafi assured the Authority of the Committee’s commitment to supporting measures aimed at strengthening the Free Zones Programme and increasing its impact on national development. The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of both Parliament and the Ghana Free Zones Authority to advancing industrialisation, improving export competitiveness, and promoting sustainable economic growth through a more robust and responsive Free Zones Programme.
The call for legislative reform also reflects a growing recognition that Ghana’s trade framework must adapt to shifting global supply chains and emerging opportunities in digital trade, manufacturing, and services if the country is to maximise the benefits of its free zones infrastructure.
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