TradeAid Integrated has raised fresh concern about rising poverty levels in the Upper East Region, revealing that poverty now stands at 24.8 percent, nearly double the national average of 10 to 12 percent.
Citing the latest Ghana Living Standards Survey, Executive Director Mr Nicholas Apokerah said the figures show that poverty is deepening again after years of progress, posing a major setback to livelihoods in one of the country’s most vulnerable regions.
“It means that half of our population is still affected by poverty, so we are not done yet,” he stressed, urging renewed commitment to tackling the structural drivers of deprivation.
He made the remarks in Bolgatanga during TradeAid Integrated’s 25th anniversary celebration held under the theme, “25 Years of Transforming, Advancing Livelihoods and Building Resilience.”
The event brought together development partners, donor organisations, community leaders and beneficiaries of the NGO’s work.
Mr Apokerah said recent increases in poverty among rural communities can be attributed to global and national disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine war, which have eroded earlier gains and heightened vulnerability among households.
He explained that TradeAid Integrated’s interventions over the past 25 years have targeted key sectors including basket weaving, food security, climate change adaptation, anti-corruption advocacy, and community empowerment.
He credited Oxfam GB for being the organisation’s first donor, enabling it to begin work with basket weavers.
He also acknowledged long-term partners such as Canadian Feed the Children, SNV and the STAR Ghana Foundation for sustaining the organisation’s work.
The Executive Director emphasised that entrepreneurship remains the most sustainable path to reducing poverty, noting that Europe and North America advanced through strong entrepreneurial systems, an approach he believes can transform northern Ghana.
According to him, equipping communities with entrepreneurial skills will enable families to meet basic needs, educate their children, access healthcare and improve overall living standards.
Looking ahead, he said TradeAid Integrated plans to dedicate the next five years to expanding support for young people, strengthening climate-smart agriculture, and promoting innovations among farmers.
He also warned about the growing menace of illegal mining (galamsey) in gold-bearing communities of the Upper East Region, calling for urgent measures to prevent the environmental devastation seen in parts of southern Ghana.
Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Roland Atanga Ayoo, commended TradeAid Integrated for its longstanding contribution to local development, describing the organisation as “a dependable partner in poverty reduction, enterprise development and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods.”
He said the NGO has empowered vulnerable women, expanded economic opportunities, and improved market access for local businesses, benefiting countless households across the region.
Mr Ayoo encouraged TradeAid to strengthen partnerships and continue complementing government efforts to build resilient communities capable of withstanding economic and climate shocks.
