Mahama Pledges Major Volta Region Investment in 2027 Budget, Announces 200-Acre Garment Industrial Area at Weta

President John Mahama has announced that the Volta Region will receive a significant share of the 2027 national budget, with major investments expected in agriculture, tourism, textile and garment, and hospitality industries.

Speaking at the 2026 Hogbetsotso Festival in Anloga on Saturday, November 7, the President outlined the government's plans to position the Volta Region as a major hub for tourism, agriculture and industrial development.

"Next week, the Minister of Finance will present on my behalf the 2027 budget. In this presentation, we will outline our plan for what we call the new economy. This is a bold initiative that will seek to invest over nine billion dollars ($9b) in sectors of the economy between 2027 and 2030," he said.

"Volta Region is set to benefit greatly under the new economy policy in the areas of textile, garment, commercial agriculture and hospitality and tourism," the President added.

Weta Garment Factory to Create Up to 10,000 Jobs

As part of the industrialisation agenda, President Mahama disclosed that he had commissioned the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank) to establish a garment factory at Weta in the Ketu North Municipality.

"We have commissioned the Ghana EXIM Bank to commence work on a Light Industrial Area in the Weta area. 200 acres of land have been acquired. This industrial area will be dedicated to the textile and garment industry. We expect that initially, when it starts, it will create some 3,000 jobs and grow eventually to 10,000 jobs when it is fully operational," he said.

The proposed factory is expected to support the garment and textile industry while creating employment opportunities for people in the area.

The $9 Billion 'New Economy' Initiative

The President's announcement refers to his administration's flagship economic transformation agenda, which targets $9 billion in investments across key sectors between 2027 and 2030. The initiative aims to diversify Ghana's economy away from its traditional dependence on cocoa, gold and oil, focusing instead on value-added sectors such as textiles, agro-processing, tourism and light manufacturing.

The Volta Region's inclusion in the plan signals the government's intent to spread industrial development beyond the traditional urban centres of Accra, Tema and Kumasi, leveraging the region's agricultural potential, tourist attractions and proximity to the eastern corridor.

Background to the Hogbetsotso Festival

The Hogbetsotso Festival is one of Ghana's most significant traditional events, celebrated annually by the Anlo Ewe people of the Volta Region. The festival, whose name translates to "festival of exodus," commemorates the legendary escape of the Anlo Ewe people from the rule of King Agorkoli in Notsie, present-day Togo, in the 17th century.

The festival is held on the first Saturday of November in Anloga and attracts thousands of visitors, including traditional rulers, government officials, diaspora communities and tourists from around the world. It features traditional drumming, dancing, regatta displays and a grand durbar of chiefs. In recent years, the festival has also served as a platform for political leaders to announce development initiatives for the region.

Volta Region's Economic Potential

The Volta Region, located in southeastern Ghana, is endowed with significant agricultural resources, including cassava, maize, rice and vegetables, as well as a growing aquaculture sector. The region is also home to some of Ghana's most iconic tourist attractions, including Mount Afadja (Afadjato), the country's highest peak; the Wli Waterfalls; the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary; and the Keta Lagoon.

Despite its potential, the region has historically lagged in industrial development and infrastructure investment, with limited manufacturing capacity and high youth unemployment. The government's proposed investments in textile and garment production, commercial agriculture and hospitality are expected to address some of these gaps.

Political Context

The announcement comes as the Mahama administration prepares to present its 2027 budget, which is expected to outline the government's economic priorities ahead of the 2028 general elections. The "new economy" agenda has been a central theme of the President's messaging, promising job creation and industrial transformation.

The Volta Region is a traditional stronghold of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the President's focus on the area is seen as both an economic and political priority. The Weta industrial area, in particular, is expected to boost the local economy in the Ketu North Municipality, an area that has long relied on subsistence agriculture and cross-border trade with Togo.

What's Next

The Minister of Finance is expected to present the 2027 budget to Parliament next week, detailing the specific allocations for the Volta Region and other parts of the country under the "new economy" initiative. The government has indicated that the budget will prioritise industrialisation, job creation and private sector development, with the Volta Region positioned as a key beneficiary of the textile and garment, commercial agriculture and tourism investments.