Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, the Central Regional Minister, has rallied support from all stakeholders to make the Central Region the tourism, investment and business hub of the country.
“We were branded the fourth poorest region in the country for many years but have now become the fourth richest. So let us try to help rebrand the region in our various capacities to make it the go-to meter square for tourism and all forms of business and economic activities,” she implored.
Mrs Assan was speaking at a dinner and awards night to climax and celebrate the success of the Central Expo 2022, which sought to woo investors and stimulate economic activities in the region.
The eight-day trade, tourism and investment fair was on the theme: “Promoting Trade, Tourism and Investment in the Central Region – Challenges, Prospects and Solutions” and it hosted more than 300 exhibitors at the Adisadel College Park in Cape Coast.
About 15 members of the expo committee, including the chairperson, Mrs Assan, Mr Kingsley Agyei-Boahene, the Chief Director of the Regional Coordinating Council, Mr Daniel Agyare, the Regional Director of Ghana Export Promotion Authority and DCOP Mr Alexander Amenyo, the Regional Police Commander were awarded certificates for their exceptional commitment to the success of the fair.
Others were Mrs Ama Abraham, Executive Director of the Central Regional Development Commission, Rev. Ransford Kwesi Nyarko, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, Mr Isaac Ennu, the Mfantseman DCE and Mr Kofi Sakyiamah Pobi of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
Recognition and awards also went to some eight media houses for partnering and immensely contributing through various publications and advertisements to write history.
They were GBC Radio Central and GTV, Citi FM and Citi TV, Eagle FM, ATL FM, Asaase Radio, Benya FM, Live FM and Cape FM.
For exquisite branding of booths, exceptional packaging, excellent customer service and originality, some 20 exhibitors also received commendations and awards on the night.
The Royal Elmont Hotel, Forestry Commission, Food and Drugs Authority, Jonathan Farms, Cluster Farming Holding Limited, GM Bamboo Eco-City Limited, RMB Farms and Passion Energy were among the winners.
The Minister urged all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to leverage the exposure and benefits presented by the fair to propel the potential of their respective areas.
The Consultant for the fair, Mr Kofi Yankah, presenting his observation at the fair indicated that the Central Region would soon become a major rice-producing quarter after businesses and MMDAs exhibited demonstrable capacities.
He said the EXIM Bank had agreed and was committed to being a permanent partner to assist all businesses within the region.
“All districts have been challenged to give accounts and prove themselves in the next expo because they have the opportunity to be supported by EXIM Bank,” he added.
He said the fact that the event, after 24 years, recorded more than 300 exhibitors was a plus for the region, stressing that “it was beyond our expectations.”
