The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has organized the ‘Northern Business and Investment Fair 2022’ to promote business and investment in the northern sector of the country.
The four-day event, held in Tamale with support from Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), themed: “Harnessing Business Opportunities for Accelerated Development” seeks to create a platform that will bring together major stakeholders to deliberate on economic development issues on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and other businesses to network and interact to promote investment.
Alhaji Osman Sahanoon Kulendi, Northern Zone Regional Chairman of AGI, speaking during the fair’s opening, said it is one of the stages to allow Northern Ghana to improve its economic development by enhancing its economic growth and showcasing its made in Ghana products to the world.
“This fair is one of the keys to assessing the impacts of plans, programmes, and policies initiated by both public and private sector actors on the economic transformation of Northern Ghana.”
Alhaji Osman Sahanoon Kulendi
AGI partners World Food Programme and GIZ to establish an agro-processing facility
Alhaji Kulendi stated that AGI has partnered World Food Programme and GIZ to establish a common–user agro-processing facility in Wa and Tamale to provide small–scale food processors and food entrepreneurs with the opportunity to use modern commercial equipment that meets national and international health requirements for agro-processing facilities.
Alhaji Kulendi disclosed that AGI has facilitated GHC1,000,000.00 financial support to members through the GEA under the COVID-19 alleviation programme – Business Support Scheme (CAPBUS).
He iterated the need to create opportunities for the various businesses in Northern Ghana to interact, network, and inter-trade to reach business deals and partnerships that would help in expanding their growth beyond the borders.
He urged stakeholders to support the government to inspire the youth to embrace innovation, imagination, and creativity to overcome the challenges of the business environment.
Voices of other representatives
Mr. Mathew Azoya, Northern Regional Director of GEA, said access to markets, networks, and linkages has been a challenge for MSMEs, especially in the northern sector.
He said due to the challenges; the GEA has help MSMEs digitalize and position themselves to use digital platforms for marketing their products globally.
Ms. Barbara Tulu Clemens, Representative and Country Director of the World Food Programme, indicated that the organization would continue to work with AGI to expand the private sector agro-processing centers to produce foods of international standard to export to improve the livelihood of the farmers.
Mr. Sugandh Rajaram, India’s High Commissioner to Ghana, called on stakeholders to support the government in creating a platform that would deliberate on economic development issues on micro, small and medium enterprises in the northern sector to promote the mass production of foodstuff to improve food security in the country.
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