The Sagnarigu Municipal Chief Executive, Abdulai Imoro Gong, has called for a shift from raw material exports to local manufacturing, warning that economic stabilisation will mean little without factories, jobs and increased incomes.
He said the Northern Region must exploit its agricultural resources to drive agro-processing, expand industrial production and create sustainable employment.
Mr Gong made the call on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, when he delivered an address on behalf of the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, at the 23rd Annual General Meeting of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Northern Chapter, in Tamale.
Held under the theme “From Stabilization to Growth: Strategic Industrialization as a Catalyst for Economic Transformation,” the meeting brought together industry stakeholders to discuss the challenges confronting businesses and opportunities for industrial expansion.
Mr Gong said Ghana must translate economic recovery into productive growth, arguing that improvements in key economic indicators would have limited impact if businesses continued to struggle with high production costs and inadequate investment.
He identified agro-processing as one of the Northern Region’s strongest industrial opportunities, citing its production of rice, maize, soya beans, groundnuts, tomatoes, shea nuts and livestock.
According to him, investment in processing factories, agricultural infrastructure, affordable credit and reliable markets would reduce post-harvest losses, improve farmers’ incomes and provide industries with locally sourced raw materials.
He called for stronger implementation of the Feed Ghana Programme and the Feed the Industry initiative to connect farmers directly to factories and establish reliable supply chains for local manufacturers.
Mr Gong said the region’s industrial ambitions would, however, remain constrained without improved road networks, reliable electricity and affordable financing for businesses.
He identified the government’s Big Push infrastructure programme as an opportunity to improve transportation links and reduce the cost of moving agricultural produce and manufactured goods.
He also cited solar and biomass energy, as well as the proposed Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam, as potential drivers of industrial growth through improved power supply and expanded irrigation.
On market access, Mr Gong highlighted the proposed 24-Hour Economy initiative as an opportunity to extend business operations, increase productivity and create jobs.
He further identified the development of Tamale International Airport into an air cargo and logistics hub as a potential boost to trade, while pointing to the Northshore Apparel enclave in Savelugu as an avenue for expanding garment manufacturing and employment.
The MCE called for simplified business registration, improved access to affordable credit and stronger technical and vocational training to equip young people with skills required by industry.
He urged financial institutions to support viable manufacturing and agro-processing ventures, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, which often struggle to secure capital for expansion.
The Vice Chairman of AGI, Dela Gadzanku, welcomed the reduction in interest rates, saying lower borrowing costs could ease financial pressures on businesses and encourage investment.
He assured members that AGI would engage banks and other financial institutions to improve access to credit and facilitate training programmes to strengthen members’ technical, managerial and business development skills.
Mr Gong said the Northern Region’s strategic location, youthful population and agricultural potential positioned it to become a major industrial and trading centre linking Ghana to neighbouring countries and the Sahel.
He nevertheless acknowledged persistent barriers, including poor feeder roads, concerns over electricity supply, limited access to affordable loans and inadequate start-up capital for young entrepreneurs.
He called on traditional authorities to facilitate access to suitable land for industrial projects while maintaining peace and stability to attract investors.
He also urged businesses to adopt modern technologies, process local commodities and invest in skills development, while appealing to development partners to support infrastructure, financing and technical training.
Mr Gong reaffirmed the commitment of the Northern Regional Coordinating Council and the Regional Minister to working with AGI, local assemblies and other stakeholders to remove barriers to investment.
He said sustained collaboration between government, industry, financial institutions and traditional authorities was critical to turning the region’s economic potential into industrial growth, decent jobs and improved living standards.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
