By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, May 06 GNA – The Central Regional Coordinating Council (CRCC) has launched the fifth edition of the Central Regional Investment, Trade and Tourism Fair (Central Expo 26), a strategic annual event aimed at driving business development and accelerating the economic transformation of the region.
The seven-day fair showcases the region’s economic potential and attracts investors to key sectors of the economy.
This year’s is the fifth edition, it is expected to host more than 500 exhibitors and vendors from various regions and attract more than 20,000 patrons at the Adisadel College Park in Cape Coast from Monday, August 31 to Sunday, September 06 2026.
The event will be held under the theme: “Celebrating Five Years of Advancing Trade, Promoting Tourism and Unlocking Opportunities.”
The event has been strategically scheduled to coincide with the Oguaa Fetu Afahye to leverage the festival’s large patronage.
The fair will feature a women and youth business empowerment forum, Mobile Money Festival, health walk, medical screening, blood donation, National Health Insurance registrations, and public education by various government agencies.
Other activities include clean-up exercises, a float, theatre and comedy night, cooking competition and food festival, cultural music and dance among selected schools and an awards night.
Mr Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, the Central Regional Minister, launching the fair, highlighted the vast local and international economic opportunities the event presented and rallied all stakeholders to support the cause.
However, he directed that the fair be revised to ensure that businesses were well-equipped with technical business skills and consistently supported to grow even long after the event.
He insisted that it must be backed by a proper plan and a data-driven system which would closely monitor the growth of exhibitors and provide businesses with the right education, advice and financial assistance to propel growth.
The fifth edition, he emphasised must be used to educate businesses on proper business management and office organisation.
He said: “One thing that is killing our small businesses is the fact that we lack the skills and knowledge to run the businesses.
“Many are interested in having loans, but banks will not give you loans because you registered a business. Banks will give you loans because they know you can manage that business.”
The Regional Minister, advising businessowners, warned against the appetite for excessive loans, indicating that growing a business required time, patience, discipline and a strong character.
He further cautioned against mixing business with partisan politics, a practice he noted was killing many small businesses in Ghana.
Mr Eduamoah suggested that the expo be readjusted and situated properly in the Oguaa Fetu Afahye as a core activity because “the expo is not only done for the people of Central Region; it is for the world.”
Mr Kofi Nyankah, the consultant for the fair, recounted some success stories from the fair, including international opportunities received by some exhibitors over the years.
He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders including the Regional Minister, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, exhibitors and sponsors for their continues support for the fair every year.
“We will do everything within our powers to make exhibitors comfortable and give them the maximum exposure possible to make them more marketable,” he assured, calling for the support of all stakeholders to make the event a success.
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, the Oguaamanhen, applauding the progress of the annual fair, entreated the region to leverage digital technologies to market the culture and business opportunities in the region to the world.
He accepted the Minister’s suggestion to incorporate the fair in the Afahye and assured to make it an integral part of the celebration from next year.
Professor Samuel Ato Duncan, the Founder of COA Research and Manufacturing Limited Company, in a statement delivered on his behalf, underscored the critical role indigenous businesses played in the development of the economy and stressed the need for them to be supported to enable them to thrive.
He observed that the region was heavily resourced but needed deliberate action to connect businesses, investors and researchers to drive growth and development.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Prince Acquah,
E-mail: [email protected]