The Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) has intensified its strategic push to attract international manufacturing investment into the country.

The latest target is American footwear giant Rocky Brands, which has expressed interest in exploring the conducive Ghanaian economy.

At a meeting the CEO of Rocky Brands, Jason Brooks, in Nelsonville, Ohio, United States, the Chief Executive Officer of GFZA, Dr Mary Awusi extended an invitation to Rocky Brands executives to establish operations in Ghana under the country's Free Zones Scheme. 

Government delegation

The government delegation was led by Special Aide and Presidential Advisor to President John Dramani Mahama, Joyce Bawa Mogtari."Ghana offers not just incentives, but a gateway to Africa's growing markets," Dr. Awusi said, adding that, "For a brand known for durable workwear and boots, this presents an excellent opportunity to explore cost-effective manufacturing, regional supply chain expansion, and African market entry.

"The invitation comes as Ghana positions itself as a manufacturing hub for the West African region and beyond, leveraging its strategic location and business-friendly policies.It is also at a time when the government is committed to intensifying activities in the manufacturing sector to actualize its “24 hour” economic policy, which has been toast of many within the country.

In recent times, industry analysts note that footwear and workwear manufacturers have been increasingly looking to diversify their production bases beyond Asia, with Africa emerging as a promising alternative due to its growing consumer markets and improving manufacturing capabilities.

Shedding more light on the incentives packages under country’s free zones programme, Dr Awusi said the Ghana Free Zones programme offers substantial benefits to qualifying companies, including: 100 per cent exemption from direct and indirect duties on imports for production and exports; 100 per cent income tax exemption on profits for 10 years;

Ability to sell up to 30 per cent of production to the domestic market; and 100 per cent foreign ownership allowed for all enterprises.

“Perhaps most significantly, Ghana's membership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) provides operators access to a regional market of over 400 million consumers,” she added.

On the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Dr Awusi emphasized Ghana's unique position as host of the secretariat, which is headquartered in Accra adding that “This gives investors in Ghana's Free Zones access to a unified continental market of 1.4 billion people.Beyond incentives, what makes Ghana special is our people, our skilled workforce, our entrepreneurial youth, and our unwavering commitment to reform and innovation," Dr. Awusi added.Dr Awusi pledged personal support to facilitate the company's potential investment, saying, "I will ensure that you are offered the requisite handholding services to enable you to land softly.