The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Resident Representative Dr. Angela Lusigi has urged investors to capitalize on the Volta Region’s vast resources and natural beauty in order to reap the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Dr. Lusigi underlined the potential for industrial expansion in the Volta Region owing to variables like fertile lands, picturesque landscapes, and a youthful population during the start of the 6th Volta Trade and Investment Fair in Ho. The subject of the fair, “Leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area for Local Economic Development,” is consistent with this goal.
The event is being organized by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) in partnership with the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) and other partners, including the AfCFTA Ghana Coordination Office.
Dr. Lusigi emphasized UNDP’s commitment to rural development in Ghana and detailed a number of activities, including climate-safe rice farming on over 2,000 acres in the Volta Region.
She stressed that UNDP will work with a variety of partners to improve continental free trade, with an emphasis on digital infrastructure, agricultural development, human capital investment, and tourism.
Dr. Fareed Kwesi Arthur, National Coordinator of the Ghana National AfCFTA Coordination Office, stated that the office will work closely with stakeholders to guarantee the fair’s success.
Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, emphasized the region’s aspiration to become a production and exporting hub with a strong emphasis on the private sector. He viewed the fair as an opportunity to showcase the region’s potential and emphasized the importance of government efforts to foster local economic development.
Mr. Dela Gadzanku, Chairman of the AGI in the Eastern, Volta, and Oti Regions, praised the exceptional collaboration among various partners for the event. He noted that the fair would not only attract investment but also highlight the economic and cultural wealth of participating countries.
The fair, scheduled from November 26 to December 10 at the Ho Sports Stadium, anticipates the participation of indigenous companies from Togo, Kenya, Nigeria, India, and beyond, with over 400 exhibitors and 4,000 visitors expected to attend.