Government says it is poised to develop the shopping mall concept as a strategic vehicle to expand the retail sector market space and growth of the country's industrial base.

It is consequently building the necessary framework and enabling environment to achieve this.

The country has seen quite a number of shopping malls springing up in recent months, the latest being the SIC Life Mall located at Accra Central.

At a ceremony to open the mall, President Mahama lauded the long-term investment made by leading life insurance firm, SIC Life by constructing the mall which had been abandoned for 28 years.

In a speech read on his behalf, the President indicated the increasing number of shopping malls was indicative of growing investor confidence in the economy.

He said the government was determined to turn the fortunes of Ghanaian industrialists by promoting consumption of Made-in-Ghana goods, expressing optimism that the shopping mall concept would add impetus to the Made-in-Ghana campaign.

The SIC-Life mall has 76 shops, 7 offices, 3 banking halls, 1 restaurant, 2 open rooftop terraces, 11 basement storage areas, a CCTV room with 75 cameras and an underground car park facility.

Managing Director of SIC Life, Aaron Issa Anafuri told Joy Business his outfit was not only interested in ensuring the security of their policy holders' money.

"We also want to ensure the profitable returns of those monies upon maturing, thus the decision to invest in profit generating ventures like the mall" he said.