By:Ibrahim Abode
The Secretary of the Exporters and Importers Association of Ghana, Sampson Asaki Awingobit, has announced the association’s readiness to partner with Regional Coordinating Councils across Northern Ghana to organise business and investment forums aimed at accelerating economic growth, expanding trade opportunities, and attracting both local and international investors.
Mr. Awingobit made the announcement on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, during the second day of the Upper East Regional Development Planning and Business Forum and Exhibition in Bolgatanga, an event that has brought together policymakers, business executives, entrepreneurs, investors, development partners, and exhibitors from across the country.
The two-day forum, which concludes on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, forms part of efforts by the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council to showcase the region’s enormous investment potential while creating stronger partnerships between government institutions and the private sector.
Addressing participants, Mr. Awingobit described the forum as a timely initiative capable of transforming the economic fortunes of Northern Ghana if replicated across the other northern regions. He said the Exporters and Importers Association of Ghana is fully prepared to collaborate with Regional Coordinating Councils to organise similar business forums that will expose investment opportunities, connect entrepreneurs with investors, and stimulate regional economic development.
According to him, Northern Ghana possesses significant untapped potential in agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, tourism, and cross-border trade, but these opportunities require strategic promotion and stronger engagement with the business community to attract the necessary investments.
He stressed that creating platforms where investors, businesses, government agencies, and development partners can interact would help unlock new markets, facilitate partnerships, and encourage sustainable economic growth throughout the northern sector of the country.
Mr. Awingobit further revealed that the Exporters and Importers Association of Ghana intends to use the Upper East Regional Development Planning and Business Forum as a platform to market products from the region on the international market.
He explained that promoting locally produced goods beyond Ghana’s borders would create new export opportunities for businesses in the Upper East Region, increase foreign exchange earnings, improve incomes for producers, and generate employment, particularly for the youth.
The association, he noted, remains committed to supporting local enterprises by connecting them with international buyers, expanding access to export markets, and building the capacity of businesses to meet global standards.
Mr. Awingobit also underscored the importance of stronger collaboration between Regional Coordinating Councils, the private sector, exporters, and development partners, noting that such partnerships are essential to driving industrialisation, improving competitiveness, and positioning Northern Ghana as an attractive destination for investment.
He expressed optimism that with sustained collaboration and strategic planning, the northern regions can emerge as major contributors to Ghana’s economic transformation through increased production, value addition, trade, and exports.
The ongoing Upper East Regional Development Planning and Business Forum and Exhibition has been widely praised as a significant platform for promoting the region’s investment opportunities while encouraging dialogue on strategies to achieve sustainable economic development and private sector growth.
Source: MyBlueWavesonlin.com| Maurice Duncan|Bolgatanga
