Ada East district woos investors to explore business potentials
The Ada East District Assembly has embarked on an investment drive in a bid to woo more investors to the area.
The district noted for its unique location, here in the Greater Accra region, has potentials in ecotourism, agriculture, wind energy, hospitality, marine services, among others.
District Chief Executive, Sarah Pobee, speaking at an investment forum at Big Ada said, the private sector is crucial in the development agenda.
“Thousands of youth will be employed as businesses continue to set up here. Government cannot do it alone hence the need for the private sector to come on board”
According to her, government’s One District One Factory (1D1F) policy is the main goal behind the drive.
The district has also engaged Ghana Tourism Authority to train the youth in hospitality industry.
Some investors with interest in the area took turns to share with stakeholders their plans.
An investor, Ossa Group is to invest €16 million into piggery, introducing latest technology and bringing value addition to help cut down on pork importation.
Leader of the group, Charles Ossa said the company will also process feed, help about 400 outgrower farmers and employ close to 2000 residents aside training people in piggery.
One other company investing in the area is Electrochem Ghana Ltd which is into salt mining and will provide jobs for about 6000 residents in the Ada enclave.
Consultant to the company, Dzigbordi Dosoo in an interview with Joy Business said Electrochem will be mining over one million metric tonnes of salt next year to feed both Ghana and export market.
“But production is expected to increase according to local and export demand. The company has developed community salt pans for those already into salt mining as a way of helping tackle unemployment”
The company is collaborating with technical schools in Ada to develop curriculum for salt engineering, chemical engineering and other fields beneficiary to the community.
Beyond the mining, Dzigbordi Dosoo indicated the company is helping address issues of sanitation, access to water, education among others challenges.
Electrochem is expected to build a skills development centre for 10,000 women, harness soccer talents through construction of astro turfs and sports academy.
Another project that will add to the lots of the district is Trasacco Hilton project which is to develop a 5-star hotel, chalet, among other facilities that are set to change the view of the estuary at Ada.
Head of Design at Trasacco, Pearl Ume said the project will also improve ecotourism, revenue for the district, create employment opportunities and skill development.
The project being undertaken in phases will see some residents being relocated.
“The project will come with building of community school, hospital, market among other amenities for the affected community”
For Egyptian company, EPSIP Ghana Marine Unit, the sector has so many benefits for the country hence setting up at Ada.
The company specializes in making fishing vessels, tankers among other floats with a maximum capacity of 2000 tonnes.
Project Engineer for EPSIP Ghana Marine Unit, Abdelrahman Mohamed Aly Abouelela said the company is hoping to have a deal with government to use Volta River to transport cargo and make Ada a container hub in the subregion.
For investors in aquaculture, Ada provides something unique for the sector.
One company investing heavily in the sector is Dan’s Man which currently owns West Africa’s biggest shrimp farm.
Representing the company, Assemblyman Tamatoku Electoral Area, Noah Dogah indicated Dan’s Man will continue to grow its investment in the area to help create jobs.
General Manager of Business Resource Centre(BRC) at Ada , Kweku Hammond encouraged businesses and individuals who need assistance in any form to approach the outfit.
According to him, BRC is also helping reduce challenges businesses face in getting documentations done in Accra.
On the part of Ada Mankralo, Nene Obikyere (III),getting companies which will process fruits and vegetables will help reduce post-harvest losses.
He encouraged the youth to take advantage of employment opportunities as companies set up in the area.
Other representatives from security, assembly members, traditional authority, diaspora among other stakeholders were present at the forum.
Kwame Yankah
Source: Ghana News
