SSNIT ‘Snubs’ 26,000-Capacity ‘Warehouse’ At Trade Fair 

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) is set to construct a new state-of-the-art convention centre at the Trade Fair Centre in Accra, despite an ongoing conference facility initiated under the erstwhile Akufo-Addo administration at the same location.

The proposed Accra Convention Centre, which is expected to cover 81,422 square metres, will feature a 3,000-seater main conference hall, a Presidential Hall for high-level meetings, four large auditoriums and other modern facilities.

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to cut the sod for the project in the coming weeks, according to the Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Mr Kwakye Ofosu said the project represented a major investment by SSNIT and would enhance Ghana’s capacity to host international conferences, high-level meetings and other major events.

“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,” he stated.

The planned project, however, has triggered questions from some former appointees of the Akufo-Addo administration, who have questioned the rationale for starting a new convention centre while an existing facility at the Trade Fair Centre remains under construction.

The existing project, initiated under the previous administration, is reportedly about 70 per cent complete and has been designed with a wall-to-wall capacity of approximately 26,000 people.

The facility has been criticised by some members of the public over its architectural design, with sections describing it as a “warehouse.”

Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe, a former Executive Assistant and Head of Social Media at the Office of the President, has criticised the decision to embark on the new project.

In a Facebook post, Mr Tagoe questioned why SSNIT would commit funds to another conference facility at the same location when the existing project was reportedly 70 per cent complete.

“You have a 26,000-capacity wall-to-wall conference facility at the Trade Fair Centre that is reportedly 70 per cent completed, yet you are now proposing to construct a 3,000-seater main conference room at the same location?” he questioned.

He further argued that the existing facility had a capacity more than eight times that of the proposed main conference hall and questioned the rationale for starting another project with SSNIT funds.

Mr Tagoe also challenged the criticism of the existing facility’s design, arguing that the structure’s large capacity should not be dismissed simply because of its appearance.

The proposed Accra Convention Centre is expected to provide a modern venue for major international conferences and other events, with the government arguing that it could strengthen Ghana’s conference, tourism and business infrastructure.

The development has, however, raised questions over the future of the ongoing 26,000-capacity Trade Fair conference facility and whether the two projects will ultimately serve complementary purposes or result in duplication of investment.