The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) is calling for stronger investment in regional enterprises, saying improved access to finance, infrastructure and markets will be essential to expanding businesses and strengthening local industries.
The association’s call comes as Ghana seeks to translate improvements in macroeconomic stability into higher production, business expansion and job creation, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Speaking at the AGI’s 2026 Regional Annual General Meeting for the Eastern, Volta and Oti regions in Ho, Chief Executive Officer Seth Twum-Akwaboah said the association was working with the government to identify businesses with the potential to grow and determine the support needed to expand their operations.
He said the effort would focus on helping selected businesses access markets and increase production, with the aim of attracting further investment and creating employment.
The Volta Region was identified as having opportunities in agriculture, tourism and other emerging sectors. Regional Minister James Gunu, in a speech delivered on his behalf by an official of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, said realising that potential would require improvements in infrastructure, financing, skills development and technology adoption.
He also encouraged businesses to invest in agro-processing, manufacturing and tourism-related activities to strengthen local supply chains and retain more economic value within communities.
Twum-Akwaboah said the cost of electricity, access to affordable financing and other operating expenses continued to affect the competitiveness of local industries. He also stressed that manufacturers needed reliable markets for their products to sustain expanded production under the government’s 24-hour economy initiative.
Meanwhile, AGI Regional Chairman Dela Gbeve said the association was pursuing initiatives to strengthen SME capacity and improve business visibility through trade and investment events, including the Eastern Expo 2026 and the Volta Trade and Investment Fair.
He also announced plans for a permanent AGI office complex and SME incubation hub to provide mentorship, training and other business support services.
The association called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, financial institutions and development partners to address barriers facing SMEs and support industrial development across the regions.
