The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), Dr. Mary Awusi, on April 16, 2025, paid a familiarization visit to two prominent Free Zone Enterprises operating within the Tema Export Processing Zone (EPZ).
The visit formed part of the CEO’s ongoing stakeholder engagement efforts aimed at deepening relations with licensed Free Zone Enterprises and gaining firsthand knowledge of their operations and challenges.
The delegation visited Cargill Ghana Limited, the largest cocoa processing facility in Ghana, and Bunge Loders Croklaan Limited, a leading shea butter processing company. Both companies showcased their core operations, sustainability initiatives, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects.
At Cargill Ghana Limited, the Managing Director, Mr. Max Essoh Latte, stated that the company has expanded its production capacity, attributing the growth to the incentives provided under the Free Zones scheme. He further highlighted the addition of a Licensed Buying Company (LBC) to Cargill’s operations in Ghana as part of its commitment to introducing innovative trading practices with local farmers, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and traceability.
At Bunge Loders Croklaan, the General Manager for West Africa, Mr. Santanu Kumar Bhuyan, disclosed that the company is collaborating with development partners to grow 100,000 shea trees in an effort to enhance local supply. He also noted that the company has provided picking rollers to sheanut pickers—primarily women—to improve efficiency and productivity in the harvesting process.
In her response, Dr. Mary Awusi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, acknowledged that some of the concerns raised during a previous meeting with CEOs of Free Zone Enterprises within the enclave have already been addressed. She reaffirmed her commitment to continued engagement with relevant sector Ministers to resolve outstanding issues, with the aim of ensuring that the investments made by Free Zone Enterprises are both sustainable and impactful to Ghana’s economic development.
Dr. Awusi commended the two companies for their commitment to sustainable industrial practices and community development, particularly initiatives aimed at empowering women. She further lauded Cargill Ghana Limited for already aligning its operations with the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy Policy.
The visit underscores GFZA’s commitment to building a responsive and business-friendly environment that enables Free Zone Enterprises to thrive and contribute to Ghana’s export-led industrialization agenda.
Dr. Awusi was accompanied by the Deputy CEO (Operations), Mr. Apau Wiredu Lateef, and other senior officials of the Authority.