President John Dramani Mahama has outlined a bold plan to transform Volta Lake into a major economic zone. The initiative is a central part of his proposed 24-hour economy policy.
At a stakeholder meeting on May 28 at the Jubilee House, Mahama introduced the Volta Economic Corridor, describing it as the backbone of a modern, industrial Ghana. “It’s time to move beyond hydropower and unlock the full potential of the Volta system,” he said.
Although Volta Lake supplies hydroelectric power, it remains largely unused for broader economic activities. Mahama intends to change that by turning the basin into a production and logistics zone.
The plan includes cultivating over two million hectares of lakeside land. It also aims to restore the lake’s fisheries and build industrial parks to process farm produce and manufacture goods.
In addition, the government will use the lake as a transport route. It will connect northern farming zones with southern markets and ports. This move is expected to cut transport costs and attract factories to inland areas.
“This will reduce pressure on coastal cities and help spread development,” Mahama noted. To make it work, the government will invest in floating transport, build lake ports, and create public-private partnerships with the Volta River Authority.
The draft programme document will be published on Tuesday for public feedback. The full launch is scheduled for July 1, 2025, Ghana’s Republic Day.
A new 24-Hour Economy Secretariat will report directly to the Presidency and manage implementation. Mahama encouraged investors and citizens to support the programme’s final design.
