The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) has cut the sod for the construction of the office complex for its National Secretariat.

Since its inception in 1961, the Chamber has carried out its activities from rented apartments for its National Secretariat and Regional offices at high costs and attendant maintenance issues.

This has also constrained the Chamber in the provision of office space to support its members and business start-ups.

Mr Alan Kyerematen, Minister for Trade and Industry, who cut the sod, with the President of the GNCCI at a ceremony in Accra on Thursday, commended the leadership of the chamber for the efforts being made to secure office space for the Chamber, saying it was long-over-due.

He noted that the Chamber was a long-standing partner of government and had together with government worked on most of its flagship projects such as the One District One Factory, Stimulus package for viable but distressed companies and the establishment of industrial parks, among others.

He urged the Chamber to deepen its collaboration with government in order to move Ghana beyond Aid, especially as the fortunes of government and the private sector were inextricably linked.

Nana Appiagyei Dankawoso I, President of the GNCCI, expressed excitement at the event, saying the Chamber had been looking forward to it for a long time.

He said the building complex, an elevated two (2) storey-building, with provisions for future expansion, was estimated at a cost of US$3.2 million.

The surface or ground floor will have a reception, lift and staircase areas occupying an area of 66 square metres and a 34-car parking capacity.

The first floor will host the conference rooms occupying about 625 square metres while the second floor will have the GNCCI offices occupying about 603 square metres.

The building complex will also have an accessible roof floor for corporate events, a restaurant and a gym all occupying about 603 square metres.

He said the building, when completed, will help the Chamber to better support its members and start-ups.

“It is our expectation that the GNCCI Building Complex will get the needed support from state and non-state actors and completed according to the schedule. The GNCCI is committed to serving as the link between the private sector and government at the various levels while offering its members a myriad of business support services,” he said.

The Chamber has contracted Yawson and Lombardi LLC, as the engineer to spearhead the project and ensure its timely completion while the design was done by A + H Architects.