The ultra-modern Ghana Trade Fair Convention Centre, which is being built in La, Accra, is scheduled to be completed in September 2025, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has revealed.

The Convention Centre, which will have a seating capacity of 20,000 people, will be one of the biggest in the sub-region and will be Ghana's iconic multi-purpose centre for conventions, conferences and entertainment centre for the tourism and creative arts industry.

Speaking after a working visit to the construction site on Monday, November 25, 2024, Dr. Bawumia said the construction of the ultra-modern centre fulfils an age-old national quest for a befitting centre of such magnitude, as well as significant towards the growth of the tourism and creative art sector, which he said, is key to the development of the economy.

"For a very long time, government after government have not been able to execute this particular project. It is a very much-needed project because we believe that some of the key pillars for the growth of this economy lie in tourism and the creative arts," Dr. Bawumia said.

"But you don't just become a tourism or creative arts hub by saying so; you must have the necessary infrastructure to support the growth of the industry. When you look at Ghana today, the largest auditorium that people tend go pay to play in is less than 3000.

"So if an artist has to play and the capacity is 3000 people, they have to charge much higher prices to make up their cost, so you tend to see the cost of shows being high, and that doesn't bring up the demand because the cost is high and therefore they don't make the requisite revenues or profits for their businesses."

The vice president, who is also seeking to be elected president of the country in December, added that the construction of a new 20,000 centre will boost the industry and also be of immense benefit to Ghana.

"Ghana will be in a good position with this sort of exhibition centre, which is 20,000 capacity, which is almost 10 times the capacity we have now."

"That opens a whole new avenue for the creative arts and tourism sector for exhibition and for hosting conventions and conferences, which is a big market for doing so."

"Ghana is a very attractive destination, and we are going to be in a position with the Afcfta also here; there is going to be that synergy with hosting the Afcfta Secretariat here, there is going to be a lot of trade issues, and a lot of conferences are going to be held here."

"We see Ghana as a real centre for many conferences, for many exhibitions and, for many creative arts shows and so on. We already have the December in Ghana, Beyond the Return and so on. We will see so many opportunities that will help grow this economy, and so we are very, very excited."

Dr Bawumia, who revealed that the project would be completed in eight months, commended the workers for a good job done and expressed the belief that he will return as President in September to commission the centre.

"I'm very impressed, and I want to thank the contractor, the management and the workers for what you have done. The work is very advanced. You look at this, and you see the shelves and all the amenities have been provided: the roads, the fibre, the water, the electricity, and so what they are telling us is that in the next 8 months, this project will be completed and we are going to hold them to it."

"And I'm hoping that by the grace of God, I will come and commission it in September."

"I want to take this opportunity to reassure the creative arts industry because I know, talking to you and what we said we were going to do, to build this type of facility, which is one of the biggest problems the creative arts face; the space to actually do shows and bring in people."

"But I want to assure you that by the grace of God, with the continuation of this project, we should have something for you that is world-class in eight months."





Watch the latest episode of Everyday People on GhanaWeb TV below: