The Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah, has called for a stronger focus on converting the Volta Region's investment opportunities into bankable projects, actual investments, businesses, and jobs. He made the call at the second edition of the Volta Economic Forum (VEF) in Ho, under the theme, "From Opportunity Showcase to Investment Execution." The Forum aims to position the Volta Region as an important production, tourism, and trade center for Ghana and West Africa.
Mr Debrah said the people of the Volta Region are aware of the value of its land, lake, coastline, culture, and youthful population, but the region needs discipline and commitment to transform those assets into viable businesses, better incomes, and decent jobs. He congratulated the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, the Volta Representative of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), and other partners for organizing the Forum.
The Government's vision is to develop the Volta Region as a key economic hub, with the Volta Economic Corridor offering a framework to connect agriculture, aquaculture, processing, manufacturing, inland transport, renewable energy, tourism, and regional trade. The African Development Bank has signed a letter of intent to support the corridor's development and help mobilize financing.
Mr Debrah urged project promoters to undertake necessary preparations to make their proposals investment-ready, including securing land, conducting feasibility studies, obtaining approvals, identifying markets, and defining financing requirements. He called for the development of a short and prioritized pipeline of investment-ready projects from the Forum, with each project assigned a responsible lead, clear financing requirements, timelines, and follow-up actions.
Volta Regional Minister, Mr James Gunu, said the region's economic transformation could be anchored on four major pillars: agriculture and agro-processing, tourism and hospitality, manufacturing and logistics, and the blue economy and fisheries. He identified opportunities for commercial agriculture, tourism development, and manufacturing, citing the region's strategic location between southern Ghana and Togo.
The Regional Coordinating Council has established a Volta Youth Development Fund, providing GHS10,000 to 10 young entrepreneurs to expand their businesses and create employment. The Council has also identified 1,500 acres of land at Adaklu for an industrial park and appealed to investors to collaborate with the region to develop the site.
Dr Elikplim Apetorgbor, Lead Convenor of the Forum, said the region is endowed with opportunities in various sectors, but these resources would not transform the regional economy without capital, credible projects, enabling institutions, strategic partnerships, and disciplined execution. The 2026 Forum aims to connect credible projects with investors, financial institutions, and strategic partners capable of providing the required capital, expertise, and institutional support.
Key points
- The Volta Economic Forum seeks to convert investment opportunities into bankable projects and drive regional development.
- The Government aims to position the Volta Region as a key production, tourism, and trade center for Ghana and West Africa.
- The region's economic transformation could be anchored on four major pillars: agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and the blue economy.
