The new multi-purpose Trade Fair and Exhibition Centre, located in La within the La-Dadekotopon Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, is expected to be completed within the next eight months.
Funded through a public-private partnership, the facility’s master plan includes a 30,000-seat auditorium, gift shops, restaurants, hotels, and ample parking space. Upon completion, it will serve as a hub for trade exhibitions, conferences, outdoor events, music concerts, and festivals.
During a site visit on Monday, November 25, 2024, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia emphasized the importance of the tourism and creative sectors for the economic growth of any nation. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the successful completion of this much-needed project.
“This is a project that successive governments have been unable to execute, but it is crucial for the growth of our economy. The tourism and creative sectors are key pillars of economic development,” Dr. Bawumia remarked.
He further stated that for these sectors to contribute significantly to the nation’s development, infrastructure like the Trade Fair Centre must be in place. He highlighted the success of events such as “December in Ghana” and “Beyond the Return,” which attract significant foreign revenue, as examples of what Ghana’s tourism and creative arts industry can offer.
Dr. Bawumia expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project and praised the Ghana Trade Fair Centre’s Board and Management for their efforts. He also reiterated his plan to transfer 3% of the government’s annual expenditure about GHS 30 billion to the private sector under his presidency, aimed at alleviating the government’s financial burden.
That policy, he said, would create fiscal space for the government to channel taxpayers’ money to other productive sectors of the economy.
Dr Agnes Adu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of Ghana Trade Fair Centre, in her remarks, said upon completion of the centre, it would be one of the vibrant entertainment enclaves in the country and the Sub-region.
She said the country’s creative industry had lost its vibe because of the non-availability of a space to host big events, with the current largest event centre having only a 3000-seater capacity.
She believed that the new multi-functional entertainment hub upon completion would ignite the country’s creative and tourism industry.
Dr Adu said all the necessary amenities such as water, electricity and fibre connectivity have been connected to the site.
She said a portion of the site’s 100-acre land had been allocated to the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat to be used as permanent offices.
