Renowned Ghanaian businessman and Upper East indigene, Awentami Paul Afoko, has called for the construction of an international airport in the Upper East Region, describing it as crucial to unlocking the area’s agricultural and export potential.

Speaking at the Regional Development Framework validation forum in Bolgatanga, Mr Afoko said the region holds enormous economic opportunities that can be harnessed through strategic investments in agriculture, infrastructure and trade.

“As an entrepreneur, I have learnt that governments do not create businesses; entrepreneurs do. Government’s responsibility is to create the environment within which businesses can thrive,” he said.

He identified irrigation projects and commercial farming as key drivers of economic transformation, calling for increased investment in year-round production of vegetables, fruits and flowers for export.

“The challenge is not finding buyers. The challenge is producing at sufficient scale throughout the year,” he stated.

Mr Afoko also stressed the need for investment in warehouses, cold-chain facilities, packaging centres and standardised production systems to improve the competitiveness of local products such as shea butter, basket weaving and textiles.

“We must organise ourselves to produce standardised products and invest in warehouses, cold chains and packaging so that we become year-round suppliers,” he said.

He argued that an international airport in the region would significantly boost exports and improve access to international markets.

“We need an airport urgently so that flowers from the Upper East can reach Europe before Kenyan flowers do. Burkina Faso produces strawberries, and we can do the same,” he remarked.

According to Mr Afoko, the Upper East Region’s strategic location also offers opportunities to expand cross-border trade with neighbouring countries through stronger economic diplomacy.

“There is the need for an international airport in the region to enable us to seize export opportunities. Our strategic location also presents enormous opportunities to strengthen border trade,” he added.

Mr Afoko called on government, diplomats and development partners to work together to position the Upper East Region as a major agricultural and export hub in West Africa.

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