It was a momentous day as Samson Awingobit Asaki, Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, stood before an eager audience at the launch of the PEARL (Prosperity through Enterprise, Agriculture, Resilience and Livelihoods) Framework.
The air was thick with hope and ambition as Mr. Asaki addressed the gathering, marking the beginning of a bold 10-year journey to transform the Upper East Region through agriculture, enterprise, and responsible mining from 2026 to 2035.
With pride, Mr. Asaki acknowledged the honor bestowed upon his Association to serve as Co-Organizer of the landmark event. “This Forum, under the theme ‘Charting the Course for PEARL – Prosperity through Enterprise, Agriculture and Regional Livelihoods,’ is not just another conference,” he declared. “It is a bold declaration that the Upper East Region is ready to take its rightful place as a strategic destination for investment, industrialization, agribusiness, trade, and entrepreneurship.”
He praised the vision behind the PEARL Framework, which he described as a demonstration of purposeful leadership and a commitment to creating sustainable economic opportunities in the region. He reminded the audience that no nation could achieve meaningful economic transformation without strengthening its productive sectors, improving trade competitiveness, and connecting local producers to both regional and international markets.
Highlighting the potential of the Upper East Region, Asaki pointed to its resources, from agriculture and agro-processing to shea, livestock, textiles, handicrafts, and cross-border commerce. “What is required,” he explained, “is strategic investment, infrastructure development, value addition, access to finance, and efficient market linkages.”
He emphasized that such progress could only be achieved through partnerships. Asaki reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to working with government, local authorities, development partners, and the private sector to unlock new trade opportunities for businesses across the region.
Mr. Asaki further commended the renewed national focus under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, which prioritized revitalizing local production, promoting agriculture, and creating decent jobs through private sector growth. He applauded the government’s drive to improve the business environment, enhance trade facilitation, and modernize Ghana’s ports and logistics ecosystem, all of which would help position the country as the preferred gateway for regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Looking to the future, Asaki encouraged local entrepreneurs to embrace innovation, improve product quality, and seize emerging opportunities in export and regional commerce. “The future belongs to businesses that are competitive, export-ready, and resilient,” he said, urging development partners and investors to recognize the Upper East Region’s wealth of opportunities and hardworking people.
Bringing his speech to a close, the Executive Secretary assured the Regional Coordinating Council of the Importers and Exporters Association’s unwavering commitment. “We stand ready to support initiatives that promote enterprise development, expand exports, facilitate investment, and create sustainable prosperity for the people of the Upper East Region,” he declared, setting the stage for a decade of transformation and shared success.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com