By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
Anloga (V/R), Nov. 8, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to invest more than $9 billion in job-creating sectors of the economy between 2027 and 2030 under the Government’s proposed New Economy initiative.
He said the Volta Region was expected to benefit significantly from the initiative, particularly in textiles and garments, commercial agriculture, hospitality and tourism.
President Mahama announced this during the 64th edition of the Hogbetsotso Festival, celebrated by the chiefs and people of Anlo at Anloga in the Volta Region on Saturday.
The festival was held on the theme: “Anlo, Our Heritage and Our Values: Striving to Build One Ghana for a Better Tomorrow.”
The President said the Government had largely achieved its objective of stabilising the national economy within the 22 months of assuming office and was now shifting attention towards creating economic opportunities to improve livelihoods.
He said the 2027 Budget, to be presented by the Minister of Finance the following week, would outline the country’s development priorities under the New Economy initiative.
On industrial development, he announced that the Ghana Export-Import Bank had been tasked to commence work on a 200-acre light industrial in Weta area in the Volta Region, dedicated to the textiles and garment industry.
The project, he said, was expected to create at least 3,000 jobs initially, with employment opportunities projected to increase to 10,000 when fully operational.
On road infrastructure, President Mahama said most sections of the Eastern Corridor Road were expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
He also announced that construction of the Volivo Bridge over the Southern Volta River would commence in the first quarter of 2027 to improve connectivity between the northern and southern parts of the country.
He said the Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with contractors in October to facilitate the resumption and completion of Phase One of the Sogakope–Agordome- Keta water project, which had stalled due to debt restructuring.
He said several roads in the Anlo area had also been captured under the World Bank-supported feeder roads programme, with procurement processes expected to pave the way for contractors to move to site.
President Mahama called on traditional authorities to continue partnering the Government to promote peace, unity and development, stressing that national progress required collective responsibility.
He urged the youth to pursue education, acquire practical skills and embrace entrepreneurship, while encouraging members of the diaspora to contribute to community development through investment, mentorship, and professional partnerships.
He also called for sustained efforts to protect the coastline and ensure that communities vulnerable to coastal erosion were safeguarded.
Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom and President of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs, said his presence at the festival went beyond a ceremonial visit.
He said traditional institutions across the country had an important responsibility to build stronger relationships and collaborate in promoting peace, good governance, and national development.
He described Hogbetsotso as a proud celebration of the history, courage and resilience of the Anlo people, noting that the festival offered an opportunity to preserve cultural heritage for future generations.
He said festivals were not only cultural celebrations but also important economic activities that attracted tourists, members of the diaspora and other visitors while creating business opportunities for traders, artisans, transport operators, performers and hoteliers.
He called on traditional authorities, local government institutions, tourism agencies and the private sector to collaborate in improving festival organisation and ensuring that local communities benefited directly from tourism.
The Yagbonwura also advocated exchanges among chiefs, queen mothers, youth and cultural groups to strengthen cooperation in traditional governance, conflict resolution, cultural preservation and community development.
Torgbui Sri III, Awormefia of the Anlo State, expressed appreciation to the Yagbonwura for honouring the invitation to attend the celebration, describing his presence as a demonstration of the enduring friendship and mutual respect between the Anlo and Gonja kingdoms.
He said the historic visit should create opportunities for deeper cultural, economic and social cooperation between the two traditional areas.
The Awormefia said the festival was an opportunity for the Anlo people to reflect on their historic migration from Notsie, in present-day Togo, while renewing their commitment to the values that had sustained them over generations.
He said the true significance of their heritage should be reflected in efforts to build a society where children could access quality education and healthcare, live in safety and secure meaningful employment.
Torgbui Sri commended the Government’s economic reset agenda, particularly its efforts towards fiscal discipline, macroeconomic stability and reducing the burden on businesses and citizens.
He also praised the ongoing construction of the Eastern Corridor roads, describing the project as critical to improving connectivity, reducing travel time and unlocking commercial opportunities between northern and southern Ghana.
He acknowledged development interventions in the Anloga District, including the construction of CHPS compounds, classroom blocks, and the reshaping of feeder roads through improved Common Fund disbursements.
He further mentioned the Anloga 24-hour Economy Market, Kome and Shime Road projects under the Big Push agenda, and the proposed Dabala–Savietula–Keta–Denu highway, which he said had been assured would soon see contractors move to site.
The Awormefia urged the people of Anlo to remain united and continue to advocate for their development needs with a common voice.
GNA
Edited By: Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade