Accra, August 2026
The Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) on Monday, 31st August 2026, received a delegation from the newly elected Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry France Ghana (CCIFG) on a courtesy visit to the Authority. The delegation was led by Mr. Guillaume Valence, President, and included Mr. Adedamola Adelabu, Vice-President; Ms. Catherine Johnson, Treasurer; Mr. Jean-Paul Nassar, Vice-Treasurer; Mr. Julien Frioux, Ex-Officio Member; and Ms. Maxine Reindorf-Partey, Managing Director.
The visit provided an opportunity for the new Board to introduce itself to the Authority, strengthen the existing relationship between the two institutions and explore areas of collaboration in investment promotion, trade, industrial development and export-oriented business.
Receiving the delegation, the Chief Executive Officer of the GFZA, Dr. Mary Awusi, in her welcome remarks, highlighted the longstanding bilateral relations between Ghana and France and underscored the need to further deepen the economic and commercial ties between the two countries. She noted the growing interest of French businesses in Ghana and highlighted opportunities available under the Free Zones Scheme for French investors seeking to establish or expand export-oriented operations in the country.
As part of the engagement, Ms. Anita Novi Quashie, Director of Marketing and Investment Promotion, delivered a presentation on the Ghana Free Zones Scheme. The presentation provided an overview of the Free Zones concept and highlighted the contribution of French investment to the Scheme and the potential for greater French participation in Ghana’s export-oriented industrial development.
Discussions subsequently focused on areas of mutual interest, including opportunities and operational considerations under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), collaboration between the GFZA and other investment promotion agencies and institutional support available to investors operating in Ghana.
Further discussions addressed logistics and trade-related challenges encountered by French exporters serving African markets. The Director of Corporate Affairs, PR & Aftercare, Dr. Mrs. Patience Agbleze Acorlor, and Director of Business Development & Research, Mr. Lawrence Osei-Boateng, also provided insights into the treatment of goods exported from Ghana into the ECOWAS Customs Union and the 10 year progressive removal of tariffs under the AfCFTA framework.
The engagement provided a valuable platform for deepening the relationship between the GFZA and CCIFG and advancing discussions on French investment, trade facilitation and the implementation of the AfCFTA. It reaffirmed the potential for enhanced collaboration to attract increased French investment, expand export-oriented production and contribute to Ghana’s industrialisation agenda.
The meeting was attended by other Directors, Heads of Departments and Officers of the Authority.