The Paramount Chief of the Savelugu Traditional Area, Naa Bakpem Yoo Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani, has called on potential investors, both local and international, to consider investing in the area, assuring them of the traditional authority’s readiness to collaborate with businesses to promote development.
He said the Savelugu Traditional Area had vast opportunities for investment and was prepared to work with investors whose initiatives would create jobs and improve the livelihoods of residents.
Naa Bakpem Yoo Naa made the call at the commissioning of a multimillion-dollar apparel factory established by Northshore in Savelugu.
The chief disclosed that he released 50 acres of land, which had previously been used as a waste dumping site, for the establishment of the factory.
He said the land was reclaimed and restored to make it suitable for productive economic activities. Naa Bakpem Yoo Naa commended the Chief Executive Officer of Northshore for his determination to equip young people with vocational skills and provide them with sustainable employment opportunities.
He described the establishment of the factory as a result of effective leadership and collaboration between the Savelugu Traditional Council and Northshore Apparel Partners.
According to him, the factory would contribute significantly to reducing youth unemployment and help curb the migration of young people to southern Ghana in search of head porterage jobs, popularly known as kayayei, and the associated social challenges.
The chief urged workers at the factory to take their jobs seriously, acquire the necessary skills and professionalism, and become competent artisans capable of competing favourably with their colleagues across the country.
Call for support for agriculture
On agriculture, Naa Bakpem Yoo Naa appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to ensure that the practical implementation of the Feed Ghana Programme adequately includes smallholder farmers, citizens and schools.
He said effective implementation of the programme could transform Ghana’s agricultural sector and help the country achieve food security. Naa Bakpem Yoo Naa likened the initiative to the Operation Feed Yourself programme introduced in the 1970s under the administration of former President Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, which sought to increase domestic food production and reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported food.
Call for veterinary college upgrade
The Savelugu Paramount Chief also appealed to the government to facilitate the integration of the Pong-Tamale Veterinary College into the University for Development Studies (UDS) to enhance the training of veterinary professionals. He said strengthening veterinary education would contribute to improving livestock production and agricultural development in northern Ghana.
Appeal for Tamale-Bolgatanga Road
Naa Bakpem Yoo Naa further appealed to President Mahama to include the deteriorating Tamale-Bolgatangaroad in the government’s Big Push infrastructure programme.
He said the road, which serves as an important international route, had deteriorated significantly and required urgent attention to make it safe and motorable for commuters and commercial operators.
