The Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Akamugri Donatus Atanga, has intensified efforts to attract strategic investment to the region as part of plans to establish an integrated agro-industrial and irrigation corridor in Northern Ghana.
The Minister is leading an investment mission to China under the PEARL Framework of the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council. The delegation has engaged Chinese companies and government representatives to explore opportunities in technology transfer, industrial development, renewable energy, modern agriculture, poultry production and processing, water management and industrial park development.
The mission is part of a broader strategy to transform the Upper East Region from one of Ghana’s least industrialized frontiers into a competitive agro-industrial and manufacturing hub that leverages its fertile lands, irrigation infrastructure, youthful labour force and strategic location as a gateway to Burkina Faso and the Sahel.
Briefing Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Hon. Kojo Bonsu, in Beijing, the Minister outlined the Region’s investment potential and his objective of using strategic partnerships with Chinese investors to transform the Upper East Region into a major agro-industrial and manufacturing hub in Northern Ghana.
The briefing provided an opportunity for the Minister to discuss the various companies and institutions engaged during the mission and the potential areas in which their investments could be established in the Upper East Region.
He called for continued support and cooperation from the Ghana Embassy in China in facilitating engagements between the Region and credible Chinese investors, stressing the need for capital, technology, expertise and job opportunities.
An Engagement Focused on Development and Growth for the Upper East Region
According to reports from the mission, the delegation has engaged several leading Chinese companies across different sectors. With Dongfang Electronics, discussions focused on renewable energy and the possibility of establishing a solar production or assembly facility in the region to power irrigation, agro-processing and industrial activities.
Reliable and affordable energy remains a critical constraint for agro-industrialization in Northern Ghana, and solar solutions are seen as key to sustainable operations.
With Jinghua Company Limited, the delegation explored water-meter manufacturing and modern water-management technologies to support irrigation and efficient water distribution.
Efficient water management is central to the corridor vision, given that the region hosts Ghana’s largest irrigation schemes. The Tono Irrigation Dam covering 2,490 hectares and the Vea Dam – both of which have undergone rehabilitation but require modernization to expand coverage.
Engagements with Ruihe Trade Company Limited centered on poultry feed production, modern poultry farming, processing and value addition. The Minister emphasized the need to develop integrated agricultural value chains to create jobs and improve food security, noting that livestock production in the region increased by 8 percent in the past year, with notable growth in guinea fowl and local poultry.
Discussions with Linyi Trade Company Limited explored the possible establishment of an industrial park and China Mall to promote manufacturing, processing, trade and commercial activities. Such a park would provide factory shells, warehousing, cold chain facilities and logistics services for businesses processing rice, tomatoes, shea and livestock products.
The China mission builds on the PEARL Framework, prosperity through enterprise, agriculture, resilience and livelihoods, a 10-year development blueprint (2026-2035) launched by the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council in July 2026.
The framework aims to mobilize approximately GH¢8.6 billion in public and private investment for the region. PEARL represents a deliberate shift from identifying development challenges to implementing practical solutions that unlock economic opportunities and create jobs.
The initiative is being coordinated by the Regional Coordinating Council in partnership with the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana and supported by a technical working committee comprising professionals and development experts.
Prominence on Some Flagship Projects at the Upper East Region
Among the flagship projects under PEARL are the completion of the Tamne Irrigation Dam, rehabilitation of the Tono and Vea irrigation schemes, revitalisation of the Pwalugu Tomato Factory and the Zuarungu Meat Processing Factory, and transformation of the Fumbisi Rice Valley into a commercial agricultural and agro-industrial hub.
Other proposals include establishing an Agricultural Technical University at Sandema, developing a drone and satellite remote sensing programme for precision agriculture, and upgrading regional health facilities.
The Regional Minister told Chinese investors that the mineral wealth beneath the soil, with commercial quantities of gold discovered in 10 districts and large-scale mining companies such as Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited and Earl International Gold operating in the region, must become a catalyst for broad-based prosperity across agriculture, health, education, infrastructure and enterprise development.
“Mining Alone Cannot Deliver the Transformation We Seek,” he stated, adding that sustainable development would require economic diversification, industrial growth, investment in human capital and strong partnerships between government, the private sector and development partners.
He assured investors that despite occasional misconceptions arising from isolated conflicts, the Upper East Region remains peaceful and stable and open for business.
He said recent government interventions under the Feed Ghana Programme have already shown results – cultivated land increased by 5 percent while production of key staples such as maize and rice rose by 4 percent.
Farmer registration expanded from 8,221 to 10,314 with over 19,000 bags of fertiliser distributed.
To enhance mechanisation, government has secured a credit arrangement with Chinese firm Weichai Lovol Intelligent Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. to supply farmers with modern farm equipment.
The proposed agro-industrial and irrigation corridor aligns with Ghana’s national Irrigation for Wealth Creation initiative, where eight regions including Upper East have been selected to pilot 10,000 hectares of irrigated land, and with the government’s push to reduce dependence on rain fed farming.
With access to the ECOWAS market of more than 400 million people, the Upper East Region is positioning itself as a regional agricultural and industrial hub for West Africa.
The Regional Minister says the region is not seeking aid, but building joint ventures. He is urging Chinese companies to move from trade to production.
“The mission is expected to culminate in several Memoranda of Understanding to be signed before the delegation returns on September 20, with follow-up investment visits to Bolgatanga planned for the last quarter of 2026.”
Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Akamugri Donatus Atanga
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