By Comfort Sena Fetrie-Akagbor
Tamale, Aug. 21, GNA – The third annual Northern Trade, Industry and Investment Summit (NTIS) has opened in Tamale on the theme: “Enhancing Trade and Industrial Growth Through Strategic Investment and Accelerated Export.”
Alhaji Ishmael Yahuza, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Development (CPD), said the three-day event seeks to empower the private sector, particularly Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), through capacity-building, production expansion, export promotion, and value addition to non-traditional export products.
He said the summit would accelerate economic development, attract investment, and create employment to improve livelihoods in Northern Ghana. Activities include a durbar, business seminar, trade exhibition, career fair, and an awards night, expected to draw at least 800 delegates from across industries and sectors.
Mr Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister, said NTIS would explore innovative ways to boost trade, enhance industrial productivity, and unlock investment opportunities. With government’s support, he noted, the initiative would grow non-traditional export earnings and position Ghanaian enterprises within global value chains.
He added that previous editions of the summit increased awareness of Northern Ghana’s economic potential, fostered new business ties, and promoted the region’s cultural heritage, tourism, and investment prospects.
Mr John urged private businesses and development partners to collaborate with government on policies for sustainable economic growth, stressing the need to move beyond rhetoric to actionable outcomes, partnerships, and networks that transcend borders.
In a speech read on his behalf, Professor Seidu Al-Hassan, Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), underscored the vital role of SMEs in the national economy. He called on stakeholders to build their capacity to access international markets and compete globally.
The summit is organised by the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC), CPD, UDS, Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Ghana Exim Bank, Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA), Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Over the years, it has served as a platform for SMEs to showcase products and services while fostering connections between businesses, investors, and policymakers.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Audrey Dekalu