Upper East Region to host Economic Development Forum to drive investment and growth – Donatus Akamugri Atanga
Upper East Regional Economic Development Forum to mobilise investment, partnerships and a 10-year growth blueprint
The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, has announced that the region will host an Economic Development Forum aimed at charting a strategic path for accelerated socio-economic transformation and sustainable development.
The three-day forum is scheduled to take place from June 29 to July 1, 2026, and is expected to bring together investors, businesses, development partners, financial institutions, policymakers, and other key stakeholders to explore opportunities for growth and investment in the region.
Speaking at a media briefing in Bolgatanga on Thursday, June 11, Atanga said the engagement was intended to provide the media and the public with an overview of the upcoming forum, its objectives, expected outcomes, and the opportunities it presents for the people of the Upper East Region.
“Today’s briefing is to provide the media and the public with an overview of this landmark initiative, its objectives, expected outcomes, and the opportunities it presents for investors, financial institutions, development partners, businesses, and the people of the Upper East Region,” he stated.
The Regional Minister noted that despite the region’s abundant natural and human resources, much of its economic potential remains untapped.
He said the Upper East Region has long been recognised for its hardworking population, vast agricultural potential, strategic geographical location, vibrant cross-border trade opportunities, and rich cultural heritage.
According to him, the time has come for the region to move beyond its developmental challenges and deliberately mobilise investments, partnerships, innovation, and resources to unlock its enormous potential.
“It is against this background that the Regional Coordinating Council, in collaboration with the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, is organising this historic forum under the theme: ‘Prosperity through Enterprise, Agriculture, Resilience and Livelihoods (PEARL),’” he said.
Atanga explained that the PEARL initiative represents a bold and practical vision for transforming the Upper East Region into a competitive hub for enterprise development, agricultural industrialisation, trade expansion, investment attraction, job creation, and sustainable livelihoods.
He further disclosed that a team of experts drawn from key sectors has been constituted to undertake a comprehensive review of previous development plans and initiatives within the region.
The experts, he said, have been tasked with consolidating existing proposals and recommendations into a robust 10-year strategic development framework that will guide the region’s growth agenda.
According to the Minister, the process will involve extensive stakeholder consultations and validation exercises to ensure broad ownership, relevance, and technical soundness before the framework is formally adopted as the region’s comprehensive development and investment blueprint.
“We are deliberately positioning the Upper East Region as a competitive destination for investment, innovation, enterprise development, and strategic partnerships,” he stressed.
Atanga also emphasised that the initiative is strictly non-partisan and should not be viewed through a political lens.
“The development of the Upper East Region transcends party affiliations and partisan interests. This entire process is non-partisan and focused solely on advancing the welfare and prosperity of our people,” he added.
The Economic Development Forum is expected to generate actionable strategies and partnerships that will drive economic growth, create jobs, attract investments, and improve livelihoods across the Upper East Region.
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