The 3rd Northern Trade, Industry, and Investment Summit has been launched in Tamale by the Northern Regional Minister, Ali John Adolf, under the theme: “Enhancing Trade and Industrial Growth through Strategic Investment and Accelerated Export.”
The summit brought together investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and development actors to foster strategic partnerships, address economic challenges, and explore solutions to drive sustainable growth in the Northern Region and beyond.
Unlocking Northern Ghana’s Economic Potential
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Ali John Adolf underscored the region’s wealth in natural resources, human capital, and cultural heritage, highlighting its immense potential for cross-border trade and industrial development. He emphasized that the vast arable lands, emerging agro-industries, and youthful entrepreneurial population present significant opportunities for agro-processing and industrialization.
“What we need now is targeted investment—investment that is smart, sustainable, and inclusive. Investment that brings jobs, improves infrastructure, builds local capacity, and opens markets beyond our borders,” he stated.
He further stressed the importance of export-oriented industrialization, urging stakeholders to add value to locally grown produce and integrate Northern Ghana’s industries into international markets, particularly through initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Government’s Commitment to Industrialization
Mr Adolf reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting industrialization and investment through key initiatives such as:
- The Big Push Initiative – aimed at expanding infrastructure and industrial growth
- The 24-Hour Economy – designed to enhance productivity and economic activity
- Business Development & Entrepreneurship Support – fostering innovation and business expansion
- Agriculture and Agri-Business Development – ensuring food security and value addition
These initiatives, he noted, are crucial for building a resilient and diversified economy that ensures inclusive growth across all regions of Ghana.
Harnessing Local Resources for Export
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Francis Kojo Arthur, Esq., reaffirmed GEPA’s commitment to developing and promoting Ghana’s exports. He highlighted the Northern Region’s rich endowment of high-value agricultural commodities, including:
- Cashew nuts, shea butter, groundnuts, soybeans, rice, fonio, sesame, onion, millet
- Handcrafted items such as basketry, leather products, textiles, and garments
“These resources hold immense economic potential, but they must be tapped and processed into marketable products. This summit serves as a platform to attract local and foreign investors who can help harness these opportunities,” he stated.
Mr. Arthur added that GEPA is ready to support the government’s Accelerated Export Development Agenda, which seeks to position exports as a key driver of Ghana’s economic transformation.
Driving Economic Empowerment in Northern Ghana
The Executive Director of the Center for Policy Development, Ismail Yahuza, outlined the summit’s core objectives, which include:
- Creating jobs and reducing unemployment
- Uplifting the people of the North through economic empowerment
- Bridging the development gap between Northern and Southern Ghana
To achieve these goals, the summit will feature a grand durbar, business conferences, trade exhibitions, and an awards night to recognize outstanding businesses and entrepreneurs contributing to the region’s economic development.
Positioning Northern Ghana as an Industrial and Trade Hub
The 3rd Northern Trade, Industry, and Investment Summit serves as a strategic platform for positioning Northern Ghana as a major industrial and trade hub. Through targeted investments, policy interventions, and enhanced trade facilitation, the summit aims to unlock the region’s full economic potential and contribute significantly to Ghana’s national industrialization and export drive.
Source : Ibrahim Angaangmeni Alhassan/zaaghna.com
