President John Dramani Mahama will in the coming weeks cut the sod for the construction of the Accra Convention Centre, an 81,422-square-metre facility to be located at the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre in La, Accra. The project, described as the latest major investment by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), is expected to significantly expand Ghana’s capacity to host international conferences, high-level meetings, and large-scale events.
The Project: A 3,000-Seater Complex
The announcement was made by the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. According to him, the facility will feature a 3,000-seater main conference hall, a dedicated Presidential Hall for high-level meetings, and four large auditoriums, alongside other modern amenities designed to support conferences and diplomatic engagements.
“The 81,422 square metre facility to be located at the Trade Fair Centre, will have a 3,000-seater main conference hall, a Presidential Hall for high-level meetings, four large auditoriums and other modern amenities,” Mr. Kwakye Ofosu stated. “President Mahama will in the coming weeks cut sod for The Accra Convention Centre – the latest investment by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).”
The Minister said the facility would add a major new component to Ghana’s conference and events infrastructure, strengthening the country’s capacity to host major international events while supporting tourism, business, and other economic activities.
Background: Trade Fair Centre Redevelopment
The Accra Convention Centre will form part of the broader redevelopment of the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre, a 156-acre site undergoing a major transformation into a regional trade hub. The Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited has been redeveloping the site under a master plan that includes exhibition halls, a convention centre, and supporting infrastructure. In November 2024, then-Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia announced that an ultra-modern Ghana Trade Fair Convention Centre with a 20,000 capacity was scheduled for completion by September 2025.
The new SSNIT-funded Accra Convention Centre represents a distinct but complementary addition to the Trade Fair redevelopment, with a focus on high-level diplomatic and conference facilities rather than exhibition space.
SSNIT’s Expanding Real Estate Portfolio
The project forms part of SSNIT’s broader investment strategy, which has increasingly focused on real estate as a driver of returns for pension contributors. As of June 2026, SSNIT’s assets had reached GH¢35.4 billion, with equities accounting for about 59% of the investment portfolio (GH¢21 billion), fixed income 22%, real estate 18%, and alternative investments about 1.2%. The Trust has been actively developing and managing premium properties, including Meridian Gardens in Klagon, Community 19 in Tema, and Adinkra Heights in Cantonments, as part of its strategy to generate sustainable returns for pension sustainability.
SSNIT’s real estate holdings also include significant hospitality assets such as the Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, which the Trust has described as “significant national hospitality and tourism assets.” The Trust has been expanding its focus on real estate development and other safe but high-yielding investments to sustain positive Real Return on Investment.
Ghana’s MICE Ambitions
The Accra Convention Centre is expected to boost Ghana’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, which the government has identified as a key pillar of its tourism strategy. The Ghana Tourism Development Company has been actively supporting MICE events, including the PA Conference 2026 held in Accra, as part of efforts to position Ghana as a premier destination for business tourism in West Africa.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu said the facility’s scale and range of amenities would position it as a major venue for international and high-level events in Ghana, strengthening the country’s ability to compete for conference business that currently goes to other regional hubs.
What’s Next
With the sod-cutting ceremony expected in the coming weeks, the Accra Convention Centre is set to become one of the largest purpose-built conference facilities in Ghana, reinforcing Accra’s position as a hub for diplomacy, business, and international engagement in West Africa. The project is expected to create jobs during construction and stimulate economic activity in the La area and beyond, while providing a modern venue for large-scale national and international events.
