The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export-Import Bank (Ghana Exim Bank), Sylvester Adinam Mensah, has called on stakeholders in the Volta Region to move beyond showcasing the region's economic potential and focus on converting opportunities into viable investments. He made this appeal at the Volta Economic Forum – Te Za Edition in Ho, emphasizing the need to close the gap between the region's abundant opportunities and actual projects that could create jobs and transform communities. The forum's theme, “From Opportunity Showcase to Investment Execution,” resonated with Mr. Mensah's message.
According to Mr. Mensah, the Volta Region is endowed with fertile agricultural lands, coastal resources, mountains, waterfalls, cultural heritage, and a hardworking population, positioning it to become a major centre for production, investment, and export-led growth. However, he noted that much of what was produced in the region continued to leave communities in its raw form, resulting in the loss of value addition, employment opportunities, and economic benefits. This, he stressed, needed to change if the region was to reap the full benefits of its resources.
Mr. Mensah cited specific examples of opportunities that could be transformed through processing, such as cassava production, which could be turned into industrial starch, high-quality flour, animal feed, and ethanol. Similarly, mango production could support juice, concentrate, and dried-fruit processing for export. He emphasized that the difference between an opportunity and an investment was focused action, requiring clarity on who would implement a project, how it would be financed, where its market would be, and when it would become operational.
To attract investments, Mr. Mensah stressed the need for certainty regarding land ownership, off-taker arrangements, regulatory approvals, and credible dispute-resolution mechanisms. He also urged entrepreneurs seeking financing to prepare their businesses properly by keeping accurate records, separating personal and business finances, establishing sound governance structures, and securing the necessary licences. This, he believed, would make their businesses more attractive to investors.
Ghana Exim Bank, Mr. Mensah explained, was established to facilitate Ghana's international trade, promote exports, and support import substitution. He emphasized that Ghana could not achieve lasting prosperity by continuing to export raw materials and import finished products, stressing the need to produce more locally, add value to local resources, and export competitively. The Bank, he noted, was committed to supporting this drive.
On developments in the Volta Region, Mr. Mensah disclosed that Ghana Exim Bank had conducted a feasibility study for the establishment of a free zone in the region, in collaboration with the Regional Minister and the Regional Coordinating Council. The garment and apparel sector was expected to serve as an anchor tenant for the free zone, with the Bank having supported a similar factory in the Northern Region. He expressed hope that the next garment and apparel factory would be established in the Volta Region.
Mr. Mensah urged the Economic Forum to go beyond speeches and a communiqué by producing a credible pipeline of investment-ready projects. He pledged that Ghana Exim Bank would support the process with capital, technical assistance, and export-readiness initiatives, including financing feasibility studies and structuring public-private partnerships. With focused leadership, coordinated investment, and discipline, he expressed optimism that the Volta Region could turn its opportunities into viable investments.
Key points
- Exim Bank CEO Sylvester Adinam Mensah urges stakeholders in Volta Region to convert economic opportunities into viable investments.
- Ghana Exim Bank has conducted a feasibility study for a free zone in Volta Region.
- Bank pledges support for investment-ready projects with capital, technical assistance, and export-readiness initiatives.
