By Dennis Peprah
Sunyani, (Bono), Sept 1, GNA-Mr Charles Lwanga Puozuing, the Upper West Regional Minister has called for private sector investments into the implementation of government’s initiatives and programmmes in the region to benefit the masses.
He said private sector investments were required for the resumption of work, completion and equipping of the ‘Agenda 111’ District Hospital projects as well as expanding physical infrastructure development under the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET).
Mr Puozuing made the call in a statement issued on the side-lines pre-discussions and engagements with the Globe Engineering Limited and Public Private Partnership (PPP) Group, a consortium investor from Turkey, Canada, United States and United Kingdom in Wa, the regional capital.
A copy of the statement signed by Dr Gabriel Gbiel Benarkuu, the President of the College for Community and Organisational Development (CCOD), a Sunyani-based private university, and facilitator of the meeting was made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani.
Mr Puozuing called on the investment into smart model schools (prefabricated classrooms, housing and hostels), accommodation and hostels for universities and colleges and innovation hubs to enhance learning outcomes in the region.
“We also need investments in the blue economy and equipping climate change mitigation interventions in water resource management, irrigation for all-year farming along the Black Volta, reforestation, renewable energy (solar), and climate-resilient agriculture”, he stated.
Mr Puozuing stressed the need to re-orient the mindset of the youth, women groups, farmers and public institutions towards green jobs, 24hour economy integration, sustainable farming and long-term community ownership of projects.
“We have therefore opened the doors of the region to local and international investors to partner the government in delivering priority development initiatives dear to the heart of President John Dramani Mahama, in line with his Resetting Ghana Agenda, as well as the people”.
“This will transform the fortunes of the Upper West Region”, he stated, adding that: “The region is now open for business”.
Mr Puozuing emphasised President Mahama’s dedication to equitable development, saying that the Upper West remained central to the President’s vision.
“We are calling on GLOBE ENGINEERING and all well-meaning investors, both Ghanaian and foreign, to come and invest in health, education, and our climate and water resources”, he stated.
Mr Puozuing pledged the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC)’s commitment to provide the enabling environment, land access, and full support to ensure every investment succeeded and benefited the masses.
He emphasized that the RCC was adopting a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and community-driven approach to ensure sustainability, transparency and job creation for the youth in the region.
“The RCC therefore invites all interested investors, development partners, NGOs and diaspora groups to contact the RCC for an Investors’ Roundtable and project profiling session to be announced soon”, he added.
Dr Benarkuu lauded the RCC and the regional minister for operating an open-door policy, saying that: “When you focus on your strengths and develop them, your weaknesses become irrelevant”.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Dennis Peprah
Email: [email protected]