President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday cut sod for the construction of the Norbert Anku Solar Park, a flagship project by Solar For Industries (SFI), at Agortor in the Dawa Industrial Enclave in the Greater Accra Region.
The facility, named in honour of the late Mr Norbert Cormla Djampos Anku, an ardent advocate for industrial solar generation who passed away in 2023, stands as a major renewable energy milestone for Ghana.
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SFI, a subsidiary of LMI Holdings Limited, is developing the project to supply power directly to the Enclave Power Company (EPC) network, serving industrial clients rather than feeding into the national grid.
When fully completed in 2032, the solar park will become one of West Africa‘s largest, with a projected capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MWp).
The rollout begins with a 200MWp installation, which will be the largest and only private utility-scale solar farm in sub-Saharan Africa outside South Africa.
The project’s execution has been structured into two phases: the first 100MWp is expected to be operational by December 2026, with the remaining 100MWp to follow within nine months.
President Mahama described the groundbreaking as a turning point for Ghana’s renewable industrial energy agenda. “Today’s ceremony is not just about turning the soil to cut sod, it’s about turning a page in how we power our growth, in how we build our industries, and how we secure our energy future,” he said.
He noted that the project underpins the country’s transition toward clean, reliable, and affordable energy dedicated to manufacturing and export zones, key pillars of the 24-Hour Economy and Industrial Recovery Programme.
He emphasised that the initiative aligns with the Government’s Reset agenda, which positions energy as the driving force for inclusive industrialisation.
The Solar for Industries project, he added, fits into a broader national framework that connects energy transition, industrial competitiveness, and climate responsibility.
With Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy expected to increase demand for dependable energy across manufacturing, mining, ICT, food processing, and textiles, the President said projects such as SFI’s ensure that growth remains sustainable.
Under the National Renewable Energy Master Plan, the Government has targeted a minimum 15 per cent renewable energy share by 2030, and investments like this move the country closer to that goal.
He also highlighted the policy importance of reducing Ghana’s carbon footprint to maintain competitiveness under emerging global trade rules such as the EU‘s carbon border adjustment mechanism.
President Mahama said solar-powered industrial parks would protect jobs, preserve export markets, and strengthen Ghana’s position under the African Continental Free Trade Area and other international trade arrangements.
He applauded Park Solar, Quarm Investments, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for their confidence in Ghana’s industrial transformation. “Your collaboration shows what can happen when public vision aligns with private enterprise,” he said.
Mr Kojo Aduhene, CEO of Quarm Investments, announced that industries within the Dawa Enclave connected to the solar park would enjoy a 10 per cent power discount upon completion.
IFC Senior Country Manager Mr Kyle F. Kelhofer said the corporation’s partnership with LMI Holdings, over $80 million invested to date with an additional $50 million expected, reflects a shared commitment to sustainable industrial power, reduced business costs, expanded market access, and job creation.
