The Government of Ghana’s is set to develop the country’s first technology park in a bid to stimulate innovation, encourage growth of high-tech entrepreneurial start-ups and boost revenue collection.
Ghana’s Minister for communications Mr Haruna Iddrisu said the technology park would serve as important mechanisms for innovation and stimulating technology transfer.
The park would boost technology-intensive and knowledge-based businesses in the country. It is also expected to provide infrastructure and business support services to assist export-oriented small and medium ICT/ITES businesses to optimize their potential.
The minister said the aim is to attract more investment by large companies as well as host both local and international related firm.
Citing examples of technology parks including the Smart Village in Egypt, Innovation Hub in South Africa, Silicon Valley in America, and the Cambridge Science Park in England, the Minister said all the parks had managed to persuade large companies to invest in them by offering access to research centres, high-quality laboratory facilities and available infrastructure.
“These parks also provide companies with ready access to innovative projects which yield enormous benefits,” he pointed out.
Ghana’s minister for trade and industry Hanna Tete said the park will position Ghana in global map as a investment destination.
“It is about putting our country in the map, ensuring that we such have such a diversified economy,” she said.
The first phase of the park is projected to costs over GHS60 million Ghana cedis (Appx US$32 million). The project first phase is funded by World Bank and is expected to be complete in 15 months.
