GFZA Hosts Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism

Edited by: Solomon Kwabena Nana-Ansah – Paaps

The Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) on Monday, June 8, 2026, hosted a delegation from Parliament’s Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism at its Head Office as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and enhance understanding of the operations, achievements, opportunities and challenges of Ghana’s Free Zones Scheme.

The delegation was led by the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Alexander Roosevelt Hottordze, Member of Parliament for Central Tongu, with support from the Ranking Member, Hon. Michael Okyere Baafi, MP for New Juaben South and former Chief Executive Officer of the GFZA.

The visit formed part of the Committee’s oversight mandate and provided a platform for discussions on industrialisation, export development, investment promotion and Ghana’s broader economic transformation agenda.

Welcoming the delegation, the Chief Executive Officer of the GFZA, Dr. Mary Awusi, expressed appreciation to the Committee for the visit and reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to supporting government’s industrialisation drive through the promotion of export-oriented investments and sustainable job creation.

She noted that Parliament’s continued engagement with the Authority underscored the importance of institutions that contribute significantly to national economic growth and development.

A detailed presentation on the Authority’s operations and strategic direction was delivered on behalf of the CEO by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Dr. Patience Agbleze Acorlor. The presentation highlighted the GFZA’s mandate, key achievements under the Free Zones Scheme, ongoing reforms, investment opportunities, and contributions to exports, employment generation and foreign direct investment.

Members of the Committee engaged Management of the Authority in extensive discussions aimed at gaining deeper insight into the Free Zones concept, operational framework and challenges facing the sector.

Key issues discussed included the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), licensing procedures, workforce capacity development, opportunities for expansion, the establishment of industrial land banks across the country, and concerns relating to land sales and encroachment.

Dr. Awusi also outlined critical policy and operational challenges affecting the competitiveness of Free Zones enterprises, stressing the need to review the Free Zones Act to align it with evolving global trade trends and Ghana’s industrial and export ambitions.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Hottordze, commended the Management of the Authority for their commitment and the comprehensive briefing provided to the delegation. He assured the GFZA of the Committee’s support in addressing challenges confronting the sector and pledged Parliament’s commitment to strengthening the Free Zones Scheme as a catalyst for national development.

The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of Parliament and the Ghana Free Zones Authority to promoting industrial growth, enhancing export competitiveness and driving sustainable economic development through a strengthened and responsive Free Zones Programme.

Also present at the meeting were the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Operations), Mr. Lateef Apau Wiredu; Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Finance and Administration), Mr. Hamidu Sibiri Musah; as well as Directors and Senior Managers of the Authority.