It is a Centre at the WRCC which was established in June 2019 to promote and advocate private investment in the Region.
This Centre was set up by Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Western Regional Minister. This is to serves as precursor to achieve one of his numerous visions for the Region.
The Centre is headed by Mr. Charles Cobbina, the personal Assistant to the Regional Minister, who doubles as the PRO of WRCC.
He is assisted by Miss Aka Kreho Martine, an Assistant Human Resource Manager.
Investment Centre's Vision
To provide a one-step-shop facilitation for investment and tourism activities in the region and to streamline investments within the Region.
The Centre Provides The Following Services
- Help investors achieve their dream through coaching and directing
- Linking investors up with key stakeholders
- Help investors to acquire the necessary assets and documents for smooth operation
- Coordinate tourism activities in the Region, etc.
Achievements
- Showcasing the Western Region globally as an investment and tourism destination of choice, for which reason Hon. Okyere Kwabena Darko-Mensah, the western Regional Minister led a delegation to participate in the Global Petroleum Show in Calgary, Canada from 11th-13th June, 2019, which in turn resulted in the visit to Ghana by the Vice President (Hon. Scott Brison) of the Bank of Montreal (MBO) and to Takoradi on the 4th of July, 2019.
- He again led a delegation to Spain in October 2019 to present Western Region’s Tourism Development Plan and Investment Opportunities.
- From the 8th to the 10th of March, 2020, we hosted the first-ever Ghana Gold Expo. The event brought together major international, national and local actors in the mining industry. Apart from the investment prospects, it was also good a way of telling the world what we have as a Region, by way of natural endowments.
- On the 11th September 2020, Western Region in collaboration with the India High Commissioner launched the Ghana- India Trade Advisory Chamber. This was done to create necessary environment for business growth and build the networks and relationships necessary to explore and add value to our natural resources.
- The Centre is facilitating the Minister’s 5 million coconut Replanting campaign for the Western Region
Infrastructure and Key Social Services
Infrastructure
The Region is also strategically positioned as it can boast of the Takoradi Harbour, the Takoradi Air Force Base /Airport, revamped railway network, asphalted and bituminous Highways as well as Urban and Feeder Roads.
Energy
Under Energy, the Karadeniz Osman Khan (Karpowership) is located in Sekondi Naval Base. This has added up to the Abaodze Thermal Plants, by tapping Liquefied Petroleum Gas from Ghana Gas at Atuabo to produce electricity. Electricity supply is at 65% coverage.
A number of communities has been connected to the national grid. At least, all the District Capitals had their street lights installed.
Occupational Distribution
The major occupations in the Region are Agriculture including fishing, animal husbandry and hunting (42.0%); manufacturing (10.7%), wholesale retail and repairs (18.7%); real estate and food service activities (5.4%); construction (3.0%); mining and quarrying (1.1%); transportation and storage (3.5%) and others (15.6%).
Railways
The Region is connected by 1,272km of railway lines linking the mining towns of Tarkwa, Nsuta in the Western, Towns in Ashanti and Central, and Awaso in the Western North Regions to the Takoradi Habour.
Education
The two (2) main public universities in the Region are the George Grant University of Mines and Energy (UMaT) at Tarkwa and the Takoradi Technical University. The University of Cape Coast (UCC), the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the Valley View University and the Ghana Telecom University all have their satellite campuses located in the Region. There is also a private university – the Community College University at Anaji, a suburb of Takoradi.
There are also 40 Public Senior High Schools including two (2) Technical Institutions at Takoradi and Kikam, respectively. Other public schools include: 831 Junior High Schools (JHS), 1,101 Primary Schools and 1,121 Kindergarten schools. Literacy rate is 77.7% as compared with the national average of 74.1%.
Seven (7) private schools at the SHS Level, 742 at the JHS Level, 592 at the Primary Level and 844 Kindergarten schools are also available in the Region.
Health
The Doctor- Patient ratio is 1:29,642 and 1: 2,898 for the Nurse-Patient ratio. The statistics for health facilities in the Region are, 1 Regional Hospital (the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital) at Sekondi, and 11 other Government Hospitals, 54 Health Centres ,19 Clinics and 398 Community-Based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) Compounds. Private Health Facilities include 16
Hospitals,16 Maternity Homes and 80 Clinics. Quasi-Government Health Institutions are 3 Hospitals and 6 Clinics. Mission Health Facilities include 5 Hospitals, 1 Health Centre and 4 Clinics.
There are also 40 Public Senior High Schools including two (2) Technical Institutions at Takoradi and Kikam, respectively. Other public schools include: 831 Junior High Schools (JHS), 1,101 Primary Schools and 1,121 Kindergarten schools. Literacy rate is 77.7% as compared with the national average of 74.1%.
Seven (7) private schools at the SHS Level, 742 at the JHS Level, 592 at the Primary Level and 844 Kindergarten schools are also available in the Region.
Utilities
The Region is served by all the major telecommunication companies in Ghana namely MTN,
Vodafone, Airtel-Tigo and Glo; 46.4% of the Region’s population have access to mobile phones. However, some rural communities have problems with connectivity due to non-availability of telecommunication masts. Rural water coverage is 44%, urban water is % while 11% of the population has access to pipe borne water.
Investment Potentials Of The Western Region
Tourism
The Region is one of the most preferred destinations for both local and international tourists. It is also in the forefront of Ecotourism. It is endowed with a long stretch of beautiful and sandy beaches dotted along its 192 km Coastline. Mention can be made of the Ankobra, Busua, Adjoa, LouMoon, etc. Beach Resorts. There are also Forts and Castles, the Ankansa Forest Reserve (which houses the Bamboo Cathedral) and Nzulezo (a community on stilts).
Mineral Deposits
The Region can boast of several economic resources including minerals such as gold, manganese, crude oil, natural gas, kaolin (clay), limestone, sand and stone deposits, (which are the main raw materials for the construction industry).
Agriculture
The Region also has huge potentials in agriculture as a result of the favourable weather conditions. It is noted for the production of both cash and food crops, livestock, poultry as well as aquaculture and marine fishing. Crops cultivated include coconut, cocoa, rubber, plantain, cassava, citrus and a variety of other crops. The Region’s timber industry characterised by large scale timber companies has declined due to the drastic depletion of its timber species.