Ghana is Africa’s gateway to global trade – Mahama
By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh
President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated Ghana’s strategic advantage as a global trade gateway, calling on exporters to fully capitalize on the country’s geographic position to boost international commerce.
He made the remarks when a delegation from the Federation of Association of Ghanaian Exporters paid a courtesy call on him.
President Mahama emphasized that Ghana is the country closest to the intersection of the equator and the prime meridian, which meet just offshore the port city of Tema. He said this gives Ghana a unique edge in global logistics and export efficiency.
“Our location means we are closer to the rest of the world than countries in the Far East or the Far West. We can get our produce to European markets in six hours, to the Middle East in eight hours, and to North America in nine hours. That’s a significant advantage,” he explained.
The President urged Ghanaian exporters to tap into this logistical benefit, noting that exporters in other regions face longer shipping and flight times—sometimes up to 13 hours—to reach the same markets.
As part of efforts to enhance trade and maximize this advantage, the former President revealed that plans are underway to develop the Volta Lake Economic Zone under his proposed 24-hour economy policy. The project is expected to stimulate agribusiness, create jobs, and position Ghana as a key export hub in West Africa.
“The opportunities are enormous. We must take deliberate steps to transform our geography into economic prosperity,” President Mahama stated.
He highlighted the vast potential of Volta Lake, describing it as the largest man-made lake in the world, with billions of cubic feet of water and vast tracts of uninhabited land along its banks. He said these resources remain underutilized and must be harnessed for national growth.
The President further outlined plans for an inland port near Mpakadan, linked to the existing railway line from Tema, and proposed the creation of a special economic and export processing zone in the area. He said the zone would enable the production and export of agricultural goods such as pineapples, peppers, and mangoes, efficiently transported via rail to the Tema port for export.
“We are finalizing the design and planning, and when the time comes, we will invite stakeholders to join us as we break ground for the Volta Lake Economic Zone Project,” he said.
The President emphasized that the initiative has the potential to create hundreds of thousands of jobs for Ghanaian youth, reducing the desperation that pushes many to embark on perilous journeys across the desert and the Mediterranean in search of opportunities abroad.
He also noted that under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the development of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System will further enhance intra-African trade.
“This system will revolutionize African trade. It will allow us to trade seamlessly across borders without converting our currencies into foreign denominations,” President Mahama added.
