In a bold move to strengthen regional economic growth and attract new investments, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), Dr. Mary Awusi, has concluded a high-level tour of some key Free Zone Enterprises (FZEs) in the Western Region.

The visit, her first official working engagement since assuming office, was designed to offer first-hand insight into the operations of licensed FZEs, identify operational challenges, and explore opportunities to attract fresh investments into the sector.

Dr. Awusi was accompanied by the Deputy CEO (Operations), Mr. Apau Wiredu Lateef, along with other senior officials from the GFZA.

The delegation visited a number of strategic industrial facilities, including:

Yaeric Company Limited (Abura, Axim) – a wholly Ghanaian-owned manufacturing firm

Marco Polo Tile Group Ghana Limited (Nyankrom, Shama) – producers of sanitary ware for export

Plot Enterprises Ghana Limited (Anoe, Sekondi) – a cocoa processing plant with Ivorian-Ghanaian partnership

Jintao Sanitary Ware Ghana Limited (Eshiem, Sekondi)

Chemsolv – a chemical solutions provider with a pan-African export reach

During the visits, some enterprises—particularly Yaeric and Marco Polo—highlighted persistent raw material shortages, such as rubber and clay, as major impediments to production continuity and growth.

Engaging directly with business leaders, Dr. Awusi reaffirmed GFZA’s commitment to creating a supportive and business-friendly environment for industrial players.

“Our goal is to provide timely support and build linkages that allow enterprises not just to survive but to grow sustainably.

We are aligning industrial operations with the President’s 24-hour economy vision, which is key to Ghana’s broader transformation agenda,” she stated.

Dr. Awusi also expressed confidence in Ghana’s capacity to attract strategic investors, particularly in underexplored sectors like manufacturing, agri-business, and industrial services.

She noted that this push would accelerate value addition, reduce the country’s dependency on imports, and generate jobs across all regions.