The Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG), 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 described the initiative as a bold step towards positioning the Upper East Region as a major hub for investment, industrialisation, agriculture and cross-border commerce.

The 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 authorities, business executives, investors, development partners and entrepreneurs to deliberate on strategies aimed at unlocking the region’s enormous economic potential.

The event was jointly organised by the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council and the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) as part of efforts to attract investment and accelerate socio-economic development in the region.

Delivering a solidarity message on behalf of the Association, Mr Awingobit commended the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council for initiating the PEARL Agenda, describing it as a visionary framework capable of creating sustainable jobs and improving 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,” he stated.

He noted that the Upper East Region possesses enormous untapped potential in agriculture, agro-processing, livestock production, shea processing, handicrafts, textiles and cross-border commerce, stressing that strategic investments in infrastructure, value addition, access to finance and market linkages would unlock significant economic opportunities for the region.

Mr Awingobit further reiterated IEAG’s commitment to working closely with government, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, development partners and the private sector to expand export opportunities and facilitate investment across the region.

He also applauded the administration of President John Dramani Mahama for placing renewed emphasis on revitalising local production, supporting industrial growth and creating an enabling environment for private sector development.

According to him, ongoing reforms aimed at improving efficiency within Ghana’s ports and logistics sector, including port modernisation, digitalisation of trade processes and enhanced customs administration, will significantly reduce the cost of doing business while strengthening Ghana’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He emphasised that improving trade facilitation would not only benefit importers and exporters but also create opportunities for businesses in northern Ghana to access regional and international markets.

“The success of this Forum should not be measured only by today’s discussions, but by the investments attracted, businesses created, jobs generated and livelihoods improved in the months and years ahead,” he remarked.

Representing President John Dramani Mahama, Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, Mr. Augustus Goosie Tanoh, reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring balanced national development, with particular attention to the northern regions.

He stated that the Mahama administration is pursuing policies aimed at accelerating economic transformation through agriculture, agro-industrialisation, export-led growth, infrastructure development and private sector investment.

Mr Tanoh underscored the importance of the PEARL initiative in complementing government’s broader development agenda, noting that the programme has the potential to stimulate enterprise development, create sustainable employment opportunities and improve livelihoods across the Upper East Region.

He further disclosed that government is considering plans to construct an airport in the Upper East Region to improve connectivity, facilitate trade and attract local and foreign investment. According to him, 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.

Beyond the high-level policy discussions and investment engagements, the three-day summit also established a 10-member technical working committee made up of experts drawn from key sectors, including Climate and Weather, Agriculture, Extractive Industries, Governance, Infrastructure, Trade and Investment, Youth and Skills Development, Tourism and Culture, Health, and Education.

The various sectoral committees presented policy recommendations and strategic interventions which they believe, if adopted and implemented, would significantly accelerate socio-economic development in the Upper East Region. The recommendations focused on improving agricultural productivity, climate resilience, infrastructure development, natural resource governance, private sector growth, human capital development and regional competitiveness.

Participants described the committee’s work as one of the summit’s major outcomes, expressing optimism that the recommendations would serve as a blueprint for the implementation of the PEARL Agenda and guide policy decisions aimed at transforming the region.

The Upper East Regional Development and Business Forum and Investment Expo, held over three days in Bolgatanga, was organised by the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council (UERCC) with support from the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG). The summit is expected to become an annual platform for fostering dialogue between government, the private sector, development partners and investors while showcasing the vast investment opportunities available in the Upper East.