The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Center will be relocated to Afienya in the Greater Accra region as part of the West Africa Automotive Village or Hub project.

According to Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, the move is part of the “New Face of Greater Accra region” in which the region will be transformed and modernized as an attractive destination in Africa.

“We are looking at what we call the West Africa Automobile Hub. The Abossey Okai is just around the corner here; it’s been there for over for 30, 40 years and that is the brain of Ghana’s automobile industry in terms of spare parts and all that. Today they’ve outlived the space, usefulness and purpose”.

“As we speak, we have 5,000 permanent shops in Abossey Okai and about 17,000 temporary businesses like ‘table top’. Put together, you are talking about 22,000 people doing business at Abossey Okai. The place is super super choked, but they contribute a lot to the transport industry in this country. So the initiative and the idea for that matter is to create a new hub for them at Afienya”, he mentioned.

Already, the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council is in discussion with the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry to release between 2,500 to 4,000 acres of land for the project.

Fortunately, the Greater Accra Regional Minister said “the RCC is talking with the Ministry of Lands and we have been assured 2,500 to 4,000 acres of land. We are almost done with the processes. Now over there we will transform the way they have done businesses in the last 30 years.”

“This is open for investments to be done and is intended to create jobs not only for the people or the citizenry of this country. But remember that Ghana is signed to the ECOWAS protocol…free movement of goods and persons. So this is to link [the West Africa Automotive Hub] to the West Africa region in terms of business”, he explained.

“Therefore when investing you are not looking at the population of Ghana, but looking at the West Africa in its entirety because the idea is to make Ghana the gateway”, he added.

President of the Association of Ghana Industries, Dr. Humphrey Ayim Darke, pledged his outfit’s support to the Minister’s vision and drive to transform Accra into an attractive destination in Africa.

He however prayed against political interference so that the vision will become a reality.

“We were inspired by his [Henry Quartey] vision and drive to transform the capital city [Accra]. His zeal was well manifested and demonstrated by works, and the clear example of these works is the famous Agbobloshie episode. Yes it was a remarkable achievement. We are determined to extend our support to his vision, plans, programmes to attain this set goal.”

“Our final prayer is that as we chart and traverse this path, we pray against political interference. We also pray against excessive self-interest to give away to development, so that your vision and your impacts will be real.

When completed, 22,000 spare parts dealers are expected to be relocated to Afienya in the Greater Accra region. It will provided jobs and opportunities for 40,000 artisans, businesses among others.

The Automotive Village will create a mixed development where automotive technology interacts with innovation, business, education and residence in the most coherent manner.