President John Dramani Mahama has hinted at plans by his administration to turn the Volta Lake and its basin into a key industrial hub under the 24-hour economy policy.
The president acknowledged that the Volta Lake has long played a critical role in powering Ghana through hydroelectricity.
He was, however, quick to add that its broader economic value remains largely untapped.
Speaking at a multi-sectoral stakeholder meeting at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, President Mahama revealed that the area will be the anchor of the transformative 24-hour Economy Programme as the “Volta Economic Corridor”.
“The time has come to move beyond hydropower and position the Volta system as the backbone of a new industrial Ghana,” he said.
“For decades, the lake has powered our grid thanks to the foresight of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and the dedication of the VRA. But beyond electricity, it has been underutilised,” he added.
Mr Mahama further noted that the government seeks to reposition the Volta Basin as a national production zone and logistics artery under the economic policy.
Through the initiative, the Volta Lake Economic Corridor will see the cultivation of over 2 million hectares of arable lakeside land, revitalisation of the lake’s fisheries potential for both local and export markets and the establishment of industrial parks along the corridor to process agricultural goods and manufacture key industrial products.
He announced that the government will activate the Volta Lake as a fully functional transport highway — initially linking northern food production zones with southern markets and export terminals, dramatically reducing logistics costs.
“In the medium term, this will rebalance industrial geography, encouraging factories to locate beyond the congested coastal areas. To achieve this will require investment in new floating transport assets, the construction of lake ports and the creation of long-term public-private concession frameworks in partnership with the VRA,” he said.
Meanwhile, the 24-hour economy programme is set for July, as the government will release the draft programme document on Tuesday for public consultation.
According to him, the government will establish the 24-hour Economy Secretariat as an independent authority reporting directly to the presidency to ensure effective delivery.
“I invite all of you — many of whom have helped shape this vision — to contribute to its finalisation.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
