The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Mary Awusi, has welcomed the commissioning of the CBI Ghana Calcined Clay Plant in Tema, describing the project as strong evidence of Ghana’s commitment to industrialisation and value addition.

Speaking at the ceremony attended by President John Dramani Mahama, Dr Awusi said the President’s presence at the Tema Industrial Enclave sends a clear signal to both domestic and international investors that the government is serious about building prosperity through the use of Ghana’s own resources.

She described the facility, which is the world’s largest calcined clay plant, as a significant milestone for Ghana’s industrial development and proof that the country’s economic transformation agenda is becoming a reality.

Dr Awusi recalled the President’s maiden presidential dialogue with the private sector, where he emphasised that Ghana’s economic transformation must be a joint effort between government and industry. She said that vision challenged stakeholders to position Ghana as West Africa’s production hub, a challenge she believes CBI Ghana has answered through its major investment and job creation.

According to her, cement remains a critical component of national development, supporting the construction of roads, bridges, hospitals and schools. However, she noted that the global cement industry is also responsible for approximately eight percent of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions, making it one of the most environmentally sensitive sectors.

Dr Awusi explained that Ghana has historically relied on imported clinker, a carbon-intensive intermediate product purchased with valuable foreign exchange, despite the country possessing the natural resources required to produce alternative materials locally.

She commended CBI Ghana for recognising the potential of Ghana’s clay deposits and investing in technology that transforms the resource into an innovative cement solution that is attracting global attention from engineers, researchers and investors.

According to her, such innovation reflects the type of industrial vision Ghana requires to advance its development agenda while meeting its climate commitments.

Dr Awusi noted that under the Paris Agreement, Ghana has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 64 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030, a target she said requires strong participation from the private sector.

She stressed that investments like the calcined clay plant demonstrate how industry can partner with government to translate climate commitments into practical action.

Dr Awusi also reaffirmed her ministry’s commitment to making Ghana the most competitive manufacturing destination in West Africa. She said efforts are underway to streamline investment approval processes and strengthen the facilitation role of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre to support long-term industrial investment.

According to her, creating an enabling business environment is not merely a slogan but a clear deliverable for the current administration.

Dr Awusi congratulated the leadership, workers and investors of CBI Ghana for the achievement, noting that the project demonstrates how Ghanaian ingenuity and resources can combine to produce world-class industrial solutions.