By Paul Mamattah
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has urged development partners, diplomatic missions, and investors to support the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and its collaborators in implementing the Investment Opportunity Mapping Project (IOMP).
Speaking at the launch of the IOMP in Accra, Mr Debrah, emphasised the project’s strategic significance in unlocking Ghana’s untapped economic potential, fostering inclusive growth, and ensuring that no region is left behind in job creation and the national development agenda.
The IOMP is a joint initiative of the GIPC, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI), and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA). The project aims to systematically identify and document viable investment opportunities across all 261 districts in the country.
Launched under the theme “Unlocking Regional Investment Potential in Ghana for Economic Growth and Prosperity,” the IOMP is positioned as a catalyst for decentralised economic development.
Mr Debrah described the project as marking a new era of inclusive investment and commended the GIPC’s commitment to empowering Ghanaian enterprises, promoting local investment, and supporting indigenous entrepreneurship.
He noted that the initiative, once fully implemented, would not only stimulate economic growth but also promote equitable development nationwide. A central feature of the IOMP is a digital platform that will provide investors, both domestic and international, with easy access to up-to-date information on investment opportunities across the country.
The project’s objectives include facilitating new district-level investment projects to generate employment, creating a national investment database covering all 261 districts, enhancing the capacity of Ghana’s foreign missions to attract investment, and strengthening the ability of regional ministers, local government leaders, and traditional authorities to advocate for investment in their jurisdictions.
“This initiative is not merely about mapping opportunities; it represents a fundamental shift in our approach to development. It aims to ensure that every Ghanaian, regardless of their location, has an equal opportunity to benefit from investment and economic growth,” Mr Debrah stated.
He highlighted the current over-concentration of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Greater Accra, which absorbs 70 per cent of Ghana’s total FDI inflows. While some investments have reached cities like Kumasi, Takoradi, and Tamale, many regions remain underserved, resulting in underdevelopment and unexploited economic potential.
Mr Debrah stressed that the IOMP seeks to address this imbalance through a data-driven roadmap that will guide investors towards high-potential opportunities in less developed areas.
Referring to the decline in FDI from US$3.8 billion in 2019 to US$1.6 billion in 2024, he acknowledged the economic headwinds that have dampened investor interest. However, he expressed confidence in the government’s ongoing reforms aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and rebuilding investor confidence.
He reaffirmed that robust domestic investment would be central to Ghana’s long-term economic transformation, particularly given the volatility of the global investment landscape.
Mr Debrah also stated that under President John Dramani Mahama, the government is implementing bold policy reforms to support economic recovery and investment-led growth. He noted that the IOMP complements key initiatives such as the 24-hour economy, the Big Push infrastructure programme, the national export development agenda, and the Agriculture for Economic Transformation strategy.
He urged Regional Ministers and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to take full ownership of the IOMP by actively collaborating with the GIPC to profile and promote investment opportunities in their respective areas. He also encouraged their participation in the forthcoming regional investment forums.
Calling on stakeholders across all sectors to back the initiative, Mr Debrah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous Ghana through regionally balanced investment. “Let us commit to building a Ghana where no region is left behind and where every district is a destination for investment,” he added.
The IOMP is intended not only to attract foreign capital but also to empower Ghanaian investors and local businesses. By providing credible and visible data on opportunities, it aims to inspire confidence and foster strategic partnerships that can drive both local and national growth.
Chief Executive Officer of the GIPC, Simon Madjie, explained that the IOMP was launched in response to growing demand for reliable, accessible data to inform investment decisions. He stressed the importance of increasing Local Direct Investment (LDI) alongside Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), adding that many Ghanaians with the means to invest are seeking trustworthy information on viable local opportunities.
Mr Madjie noted that Ghana’s foreign missions and embassies, as well as foreign investors, have often highlighted the lack of readily available investment data. The IOMP, he said, addresses this gap by presenting clear, credible, and up-to-date information on specific projects.
He also outlined the project’s core pillars, including the Ghana Diplomatic Investment Drive (GDID), which seeks to empower Ghana’s foreign missions to serve as active investment ambassadors. Additionally, the Ghana International Investment Summit will convene global investors, policymakers, and business leaders to explore opportunities across key sectors of the Ghanaian economy.
Mr Madjie mentioned flagship projects that will be prominently profiled and promoted under the IOMP, including the Volta Economic Corridor, the Legon Pharmaceutical Innovation Park, the Kumasi Machinery and Technology Park, and the Akosombo–Juapong Garments and Textiles Cluster.
A series of high-level events, including regional roadshows, will also be held to raise awareness of the IOMP and equip local governments, traditional authorities, and stakeholders with the tools to attract and manage investments more effectively.
Mr Madjie concluded by inviting investors and development partners to explore the wealth of opportunities Ghana has to offer through the IOMP.
Volta Regional Minister and Dean of Regional Ministers, James Gunu, expressed his strong support for the initiative, noting its alignment with the government’s vision for regional growth. He highlighted the Volta Economic Corridor as a key element of the 24-hour economy and confirmed the region’s full participation in the upcoming investment roadshows.
“We are getting our districts and local groups ready to ensure the investment opportunities within the region are well-prepared and presented in a compelling way,” he said.
