The Chief Executive Officer of Silicon Accra Technology City, Mr David Osei, has stated that
the Silicon Accra project aimed at driving a wave of technological development in Ghana will not be a nine-day wonder.
Responding to a question on how laudable projects that are intended to bring long term
development had failed to take-off or stalled after commencement, he said a lot of planning has gone into the Silicon Accra “increasing our chances of success”.
According to him, one of the reasons why many of such projects fail before commencement is lack of effective planning but he claimed the Silicon Accra project has been well-planned.
“We are working. We procured the 60-acre land in East Legon Hills and have done the
infrastructure work. We are fostering strategic partnerships with relevant institutions within the global technological space, with AIMS Ghana being the latest to have committed and is about to start construction,” he said in an interview with Leticia Ohene Asiedu.
According to Mr Osei, the approach employed for the Silicon Accra project does not impose
financial burden on management.
“The difference with us is that we are offering the companies the chance to buy the land to build, reducing our cost burden because if we are to build the whole technology park, it will run into hundreds of millions of dollars.
“Most initiatives in Africa want to do everything themselves but we realized that we do not want that burden. So we have the serviced business park where they can come and buy their own land and put up their own building. And that is resonating a lot with them,” he explained.
Mr Osei said that arrangement has allowed the company to cut costs and continue funding the project.
According to him, another reason why the Silicon Accra project will see long-term growth is
because it is a private sector-led initiative with support from government.
Mr. Osei said management considers it important to stay neutral and not to be partisan but rather cooperate with the government, adding, “That is why the Silicon Accra Project has been continuing under the current administration despite the fact that the project began under the previous administration”.
Meanwhile, the Silicon CEO has disclosed that management has had to turn down bids from
local and foreign companies who are seeking to acquire land at the Silicon Accra Park because they are not into science and innovation.
“We have had interest from local and international companies but we have had to narrow it down to companies who are doing things relating to technology,” he said.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
