Mahama Unveils Kwahu Infrastructure Masterplan at 2026 Business Forum Amid Major Economic Reforms

The 2026 Kwahu Business Forum has emerged as a cornerstone of Ghana’s economic agenda, with President John Dramani Mahama announcing transformative infrastructure projects and reporting significant macroeconomic progress. Addressing over 1,000 entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers at the Kwahu Convention Centre, the President unveiled plans for a new Kwahu Airport and a permanent, state-of-the-art convention center. These initiatives are designed to cement the Kwahu enclave—traditionally known for its Easter celebrations—as a year-round hub for investment, enterprise development, and tourism. The forum, themed ‘The Future of Business: Scaling Up Local Enterprise,’ also highlighted the government’s ‘Big Push’ infrastructure initiative and ongoing road improvements aimed at alleviating traffic and enhancing regional accessibility.

Central to the economic discussions was the government’s progress in stabilizing the national economy and resolving legacy financial hurdles. President Mahama revealed that the government has successfully restructured a $1.7 billion debt owed to Independent Power Producers (IPPs), securing a 20% reduction through negotiated concessions and implementing a structured repayment plan to ensure energy sector stability. Furthermore, the President highlighted a dramatic decline in interest rates from 32% in 2024 to between 9% and 10% in 2026, alongside a more predictable Cedi. This stabilization is being bolstered by the passage of the 24-Hour Authority Bill, which provides the legal framework for the 24-Hour Economy initiative, encouraging companies like Sentuo to operate across three shifts to maximize productivity and job creation.

Addressing industrialization, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare warned that Ghana continues to lose approximately $2.5 billion annually by exporting raw agricultural commodities. To combat this, she announced a new National Agribusiness Policy and a strategic shift to overhaul Ghana’s special economic zones from export-only enclaves into manufacturing hubs focused on agro-processing and light manufacturing. Complementing this, Presidential Advisor Goosie Tanoh presented a roadmap to transform Kwahu into a manufacturing powerhouse, featuring a proposed Food and Beverages Industrial Park. The government is currently in high-level talks with international investors to fund these industrial projects, which aim to add value to local goods and reduce the GH"39 billion annual food import bill recorded in 2024.

Beyond policy and infrastructure, the forum emphasized the importance of institutional trust and corporate governance. Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie underscored that a reliable judicial system is essential for business growth, noting that investor confidence relies on the fair enforcement of contracts and property protection. President Mahama also offered critical advice to local entrepreneurs, urging them to prioritize succession planning and tax compliance to ensure business sustainability beyond the founder’s lifetime. He encouraged larger corporations to support startups and explore mergers to overcome structural weaknesses. As the forum concludes, it stands as a testament to a growing partnership between the state and the private sector, aimed at transitioning Ghana from an import-dependent economy to a resilient, manufacturing-led industrial hub.