Mr. Mensah said while all these positioned the region as one of Ghana’s most promising growth frontiers, deliberate efforts must be made to unlock the region’s full potential, reaffirming Ghana EXIMBANK stood ready to offer support. He said: “Realising the full potential of the region will require deliberate policy interventions, targeted investments, and effective partnerships between the public and private sectors to drive sustainable and inclusive growth. 

“In this effort, the Ghana EXIMBANK stands ready to support by financing value-added enterprises and promoting projects that can convert the region’s natural advantages into strong business opportunities that can compete internationally and drive export growth.” 

MR. Mensah outlined agriculture and agro-processing, tourism and creative economy, renewable energy and green infrastructure, trade, logistics, and industrial services, human capital and skills development and, digital and innovation ecosystem as the key sectors for strategic investment, for which he pledged the bank’s support. He explained that the mandate of Ghana EXIMBANK, established in 2016 to accelerate value addition, promote export competitiveness, and strengthen local manufacturing, was directly aligned with Volta Region’s needs, saying the bank was uniquely positioned to provide patient capital for agriculture, agro-industrial and renewable energy ventures. 

The bank hoped to support feasibility and technical studies for investment readiness, facilitate private–public partnerships that deliver infrastructure and value-chain solutions, champion export-oriented enterprises through financing, capacity building and trade facilitation. 

Also, support the tourism and hospitality sector through targeted financing for eco-lodges, cultural heritage sites, and lake-based tourism initiatives that can generate employment, stimulate local economies, and enhance the Volta Region’s appeal as a sustainable investment destination and, support business sustainability through digitalisation. 

Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, Volta Region’s Representative on the National Development Planning Commission, who conceived the investment-focused Volta Economic Forum told Ghana News Agency in an interview that he wanted actualisation of investment in the region and that the days of talking about potentials, opportunities in the region were all gone. He said: “All these opportunities should translate into real investment – investment in agriculture, investment in renewable energy for example. Before the year ends, we will be seeing some actions. “Some investors have started expressing interest in some opportunities. This will address the brain drain where our people leave the region for jobs. Other people should also come to our region. Even I want to come back home.” 

Mr. Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, Volta Region’s representative on the Council of State, remarked: “I t is my firm conviction that this would not be a talk as usual. We need to be action-oriented and deliberate about translating ideas into tangible results that will uplift the lives of our people.”

The maiden Volta Economic Forum attracted investors, government officials, and sons and daughters of the land to deliberate on the vast economic potentials of the region with conversations focusing on how to harness the region’s natural resources, talents, and its unique position to drive sustainable development and create more opportunities for the youth.