Bolgatanga, Ghana –
The Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG), Mr. Samson Asaki Awingobit, has reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to supporting the economic transformation of the Upper East Region through strategic partnerships, trade facilitation, and investment promotion.
Speaking at the maiden Upper East Regional Development and Business Forum and Investment Expo in Bolgatanga, Mr. Awingobit said the initiative marks a significant step toward establishing the region as a key destination for investment, industrialisation, agriculture, and cross-border trade.
The three-day forum, held under the theme, “Charting the Course for PEARL – Prosperity through Enterprise, Agriculture and Regional Livelihoods,” brought together government ministers, Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, business executives, investors, development partners, and entrepreneurs to discuss strategies for unlocking the Upper East Region’s economic potential.
The event was jointly organised by the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council (UERCC) and the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG).
Delivering a solidarity message on behalf of IEAG, Mr. Awingobit commended the Regional Coordinating Council for introducing the PEARL Agenda, describing it as a visionary framework with the potential to create sustainable jobs and improve livelihoods through enterprise development, agriculture, industrialisation, and regional trade.
“This Forum is more than just another conference. It is a bold declaration that the Upper East Region is ready to take its rightful place as a strategic destination for investment, agribusiness, trade and entrepreneurship,” Mr. Awingobit said.
He noted that the region possesses substantial untapped opportunities in agriculture, agro-processing, livestock production, shea processing, handicrafts, textiles, and cross-border commerce.
According to him, investments in infrastructure, value addition, access to finance, and stronger market linkages will be critical to unlocking these opportunities and driving economic growth.
Mr. Awingobit further pledged IEAG’s continued collaboration with government institutions, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), development partners, and private sector actors to facilitate investment and expand export opportunities across the region.
Trade Reforms and AfCFTA Opportunities
The IEAG Executive Secretary also praised the government’s efforts to improve efficiency within Ghana’s ports and logistics sector, citing ongoing reforms such as port modernisation, digitalisation of trade processes, and enhanced customs administration.
He said these measures are expected to lower the cost of doing business and strengthen Ghana’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Improving trade facilitation will not only benefit importers and exporters but will also create opportunities for businesses in northern Ghana to access regional and international markets,” he stated.
Mr. Awingobit added that the success of the forum should ultimately be measured by the investments attracted, businesses established, jobs created, and livelihoods improved in the years ahead.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Northern Development
Representing President John Dramani Mahama, the Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, Mr. Augustus Goosie Tanoh, reiterated the government’s commitment to balanced national development, with a particular focus on northern Ghana.
He said the Mahama administration remains committed to accelerating economic transformation through agriculture, agro-industrialisation, export-led growth, infrastructure development, and private sector investment.
Mr. Tanoh described the PEARL initiative as an important complement to the government’s broader development agenda, noting that it has the potential to stimulate enterprise development and create sustainable employment opportunities across the Upper East Region.
Proposed Airport for Upper East
One of the major announcements at the forum was government’s consideration of plans to construct an airport in the Upper East Region.
Mr. Tanoh said the proposed facility would improve connectivity, facilitate trade, support agricultural exports, and attract both domestic and foreign investment.
“Such infrastructure will serve as a catalyst for business growth, tourism and agricultural exports, while positioning the region as an important commercial gateway within northern Ghana,” he said.
The proposal, if implemented, is expected to significantly enhance the region’s attractiveness to investors and improve access to national and international markets.
Technical Committee Established
Beyond policy discussions and investment engagements, the summit established a 10-member Technical Working Committee comprising experts from Climate and Weather, Agriculture, Extractive Industries, Governance, Infrastructure, Trade and Investment, Youth and Skills Development, Tourism and Culture, Health, and Education.
The committee presented a series of policy recommendations aimed at accelerating socio-economic development in the region. Key proposals focused on agricultural productivity, climate resilience, infrastructure development, natural resource governance, private sector growth, human capital development, and regional competitiveness.
Participants described the committee’s recommendations as one of the forum’s most significant outcomes, expressing optimism that they would serve as a blueprint for implementing the PEARL Agenda.
The Upper East Regional Development and Business Forum and Investment Expo is expected to become an annual platform for strengthening collaboration between government, the private sector, development partners, and investors, while showcasing the vast investment opportunities available in the Upper East Region.
As stakeholders look ahead, many believe the success of the PEARL Agenda will ultimately depend on sustained political commitment, strategic investment, and effective implementation of the recommendations emerging from the summit.
