Dr. Agnes Adu, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Trade Fair Limited, has unveiled plans for an ambitious redevelopment of the Ghana Trade Fair site, aiming to create a state-of-the-art multipurpose facility that will rival major international venues such as the O2 Arena in the UK and the Javits Center in New York.
The project, which is set to transform the trade fair grounds into a world-class venue, is expected to significantly enhance Ghana’s standing in the global events and tourism sectors.
In an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Channel One TV’s Face to Face, Dr. Adu provided a detailed overview of the redevelopment project.
The facility will span approximately 20,000 square meters of indoor space, designed to host a variety of events, from large-scale conferences and exhibitions to concerts and cultural performances.
She emphasized that the new facility will feature cutting-edge infrastructure, with air-conditioned, fully serviced spaces designed for maximum versatility.
The center will include a massive 10,000-square-meter exhibition hall, which can be configured for a range of purposes, from standing-room concerts that could accommodate up to 30,000 people, to more intimate events with seating arrangements.
The space will also support various exhibition setups, providing flexibility for trade fairs, conventions, and corporate events.
Dr. Adu highlighted that the facility’s design is intended to cater to diverse needs, offering multifunctional halls that can be adapted for different types of events, such as conferences, weddings, and concerts.
The redevelopment will also feature several other amenities aimed at enhancing the experience of visitors and event organizers. These include a 5,000-square-meter lobby, which will be large enough to comfortably accommodate thousands of guests, with easy access to a range of services.
A restaurant, gift shop featuring made-in-Ghana products, a Forex bureau, and additional retail spaces will be located within the lobby area. There will also be a dedicated area for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), underscoring Ghana’s role as a central player in regional trade and commerce.
Furthermore, the project will include a hotel, a data center, an amusement center, and additional retail and commercial spaces. Dr. Adu shared that the Ghana Trade Fair is collaborating with private developers to bring these elements to life.
The hotel will provide accommodation for international and local visitors, while the data center will serve as a hub for digital innovation and business services.
The amusement center will cater to families and tourists, adding another layer to the venue’s appeal as a destination for both business and leisure.
Construction on the project began in 2020, with significant progress made in addressing key infrastructure needs, such as power, roads, and drainage systems.
Dr. Adu confirmed that the necessary groundwork had been completed, and the focus has now shifted to the construction of the convention and exhibition center.
While the project faced some delays between 2020 and 2022, construction resumed in 2022, with contractors actively working on site.
With this redevelopment, Ghana aims to position the Trade Fair as a premier venue for regional and international events, driving economic growth and cultural exchange.
The new facility is expected to not only boost the country’s tourism industry but also create thousands of job opportunities and support Ghana’s broader development goals.
“The lobby will be a proper lobby of 5,000 square meters or so. If you have 10,000 people in the exhibition hall they can move freely. You have a restaurant in the lobby. We will have a gift shop that will be all made-in-Ghana products, a Forex bureau, a back house, and a hotel on the side. We’re partnering with a private developer to build a data centre, amusement centre, retail space and AfCFTA secretariat.”
She disclosed that several contractors are already on site, with others expected to join soon.
“We started construction in 2020, power, roads, drains we have addressed all that. We have completed all the infrastructure on site. Now we’re building the convention and exhibition centre. We had a little break from 2020 to 2022, then we came back on site to finish the work.”
The Ghana Trade Fair will serve as a critical infrastructure asset, attracting global attention to Accra as a key destination for international trade, culture, and tourism.
