Tamale, June 01, GNA – The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has organised Northern Business and Investment Fair 2022 to promote business and investment in the northern sector of the country.
The four-day event, being held in Tamale with support from Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) is on a theme: « Harnessing Business Opportunities for Accelerated Development ».
It seeks to create a platform that will bring together major stakeholders to deliberate on economic development issues on micro, small and medium (MSMES) enterprises and other businesses to network and interact in a bid to promote investment.
Alhaji Osman Sahanoon Kulendi, Northern Zone Regional Chairman of AGI, who spoke during the opening of the fair, said it was one of the stages to give Northern Ghana the opportunity to improve on their economic development by showcasing their made in Ghana products to the world.
He said the fair was one of the keys to assess impacts of plans, programmes and policies initiated by both public and private sector actors in relation to the economic transformation of Northern Ghana.
Alhaji Kulendi disclosed that AGI had facilitated an amount of GHC1,000,000.00 financial support to members through the GEA under the COVID-19 alleviation programme – Business Support Scheme (CAPBUS).
He reiterated the need to create opportunity 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.
Alhaji Kulendi stated that AGI had partnered World Food Programme and GIZ to establish a common –user agro processing facilities in Wa and Tamale to provide small –scale food processors and food entrepreneurs with the opportunity to use modern commercial equipment that met national and international health requirements for agro processing facilities.
Mr Mathew Azoya, Northern Regional Director of GEA said access to markets, networks and linkages had been a challenge for MSMES, especially in the northern sector.
He said due to the challenges, the GEA had helped MSMEs to digitalise and position them to be able to use digital platforms to market their products globally.
Ms Barbara Tulu Clemens, Representative and Country Director of World Food Programme indicated that the organisation would continue to work with AGI to expand the private sector agro-processing centres to produce foods of international standard to export to improve the livelihood of the farmers.
Mr Sugandh Rajaram, India High Commissioner to Ghana called on stakeholders to support the government to create a platform that would deliberate on economic development issues on micro, small and medium enterprises in the northern sector to promote mass production of foodstuff to improve food security in the country.
Comfort Sena Fetrie-Akagbor
