Mr Akamugri Donatus Atanga, the Upper East Regional Minister, has intensified efforts to attract Chinese investment into the region to support the development of an integrated agro-industrial and irrigation corridor.
The initiative seeks to link farming, irrigation, agro-processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation and marketing to transform the region’s agricultural potential into sustainable economic opportunities.
As part of an investment mission to China under the PEARL Framework organised by the Regional Coordinating Council, Mr Atanga engaged Chinese companies and government representatives on possible collaboration in agriculture, renewable energy, water management, poultry production, agro-processing, technology and industrial development.
The Minister, during the mission, met Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Mr Kojo Bonsu, to brief him on the delegation’s engagements and the region’s investment priorities.
He outlined the region’s potential and the objective of using strategic partnerships with Chinese investors to develop the Upper East into a major agro-industrial and manufacturing hub in Northern Ghana.
Mr Atanga called for the continued support of the Ghana Embassy in China to facilitate engagements between the region and credible Chinese investors, saying the region was open to partnerships that could bring capital, technology, expertise and employment opportunities to its people.
At Dongfang Electronics, a company engaged in solar and renewable energy technologies, discussions focused on the possibility of establishing a similar production or assembly facility in the Upper East.
The Minister said renewable energy could support agriculture, irrigation, agro-processing and industrial development, while encouraging the company to consider the region as a potential investment destination.
The delegation also engaged Jinghua Company Limited, which specialises in water-meter manufacturing, on modern water-management technologies and their possible application to irrigation development, efficient water distribution and sustainable management of water resources.
Mr Atanga said efficient water management would be critical to the success of the proposed integrated agro-industrial and irrigation corridor.
The delegation further held discussions with Ruihe Trade Company Limited, which operates in poultry feed, poultry production and processing, on opportunities to develop the poultry value chain in the region.
The engagement covered feed production, modern poultry farming, processing and value addition, with the Minister stressing the need for integrated agricultural value chains to create jobs, improve food security and reduce dependence on imported poultry products.
The Minister also engaged Linyi Trade Company Limited on the possible establishment of an industrial park and a China Mall in the Upper East Region.
He said the proposed industrial park could provide a platform for manufacturing, processing, trade and other commercial activities, while the China Mall concept could strengthen trade links between Chinese businesses and local enterprises.
Mr Atanga also engaged Fox Company Limited on technology and innovation, emphasising the need for the region to embrace modern technology in agriculture, industry, commerce and public service delivery.
In addition to the private-sector engagements, the Minister met representatives of the Chinese Government, including officials of the Ministry of Commerce, to explore areas of cooperation and investment.
He said the region was seeking not only investment capital but also technology, skills development, modern production systems, irrigation expertise, manufacturing capacity and long-term partnerships.
According to him, the broader objective was to move beyond the export of raw agricultural products by establishing an integrated system in which production, irrigation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation and marketing were interconnected.
The proposed Upper East Integrated Agro-Industrial and Irrigation Corridor is expected to provide a framework for attracting investments in factories, modern farms, irrigation infrastructure, renewable energy facilities, processing centres and technology-driven businesses.
By Anthony Adongo Apubeo, GNA