The Volta Business Development Forum, a group which made up of businessmen and women from the Volta region has called for a consented effort towards the development of the region.
The group made the call when they paid a courtesy call on the Volta Regional Minister Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa in Ho on Friday, to introduce themselves and discuss matters regarding the development of the region.
The Volta Business Development Forum believes that the Volta region has enough human and natural resources that can be exploited to develop the region; while indicating that the region needs a strategic and consented effort from stakeholders including individuals sons and daughters of the region and state actors to propel the region into making some more gains.
According to the Executive Director of the group, Mr. Daniel Agboka-Dzegede, the Volta region has been lagging behind in terms of development despite the availability of these resources, thus the need to awaken the conscience of the indigenes.
He said, “We have realized that the Volta region for many years have been lagging behind in terms of development. The region has been under the mercy of politicians for decades and it is time change is brought to the region, hence the formation of this group.”
Mr. Agboka-Dzegede added stressed that “the development needs of the region must be addressed through a collaborative effort from all actors because enough is enough,” while appealing to the VRCC to support the group towards the achievement of its set goals and objectives meant for the growth of the region.
Addressing the forum on behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Regional Minister Rev. Ps. Johnson Avuletey indicated that the Volta region has seen some level of development in recent times but admitted that the region needs a bit more of indigenous support to make some more gains.
He urged the group to eschew extreme partisanship and selfish-interest so as to catch the attention of state actors while lobbying for projects and business support towards the growth of the region.
He said, “I am excited to have you come to share with us these laudable ideas towards the development of the region. I entreat you not to let this become a nine day’s wonder. But most importantly, I urge you to operate without any form of partisanship or to pursue any agenda of a selfish interest, because I believe that would be the only way to attract government’s attention when lobbying for projects and business support towards the development of the region.”
Rev. Avuletey also stated that there is the need for natives of the region to start diverting their investments home in order to create jobs and livelihoods; while assuring the group that the region remains a good business environment for all forms of investments.
“I expect more from the group, let’s leave partisan politics and develop the region,” he emphasised.
The vision of the Volta Business Development Forum is to seek to attain a conducive and sustainable business environment that will drive investment into all sectors including; tourism, agriculture, trade and entrepreneurship while making use of local expertise for job creation and development of the region.
Sharing her perspective at the meeting, CEO of Aver Maven, Yvonne Damalie bemoans the lack of proper branding of the Volta region, its culture and history.
She said, “We will tell our own story to the world; who we are, our history, our worth, our contributions to national development, our culture -to erase the negative perceptions and tags others have given us.”
“We are the best to the our story and we will tell it our way through various means and platforms but largely, graphically to make our statement. The world must know our true identity,” she stressed.
The group which was led by its President, Dr. Prince Kofi Kludjeson, includes other business persons like Dr. Johnson Asiamah, (formerly of Bank of Ghana), Mr. Francis Ganyaglo (a former Deputy Regional Minister), Charles Agbeli, Dr. Felix Semavor, Engineer Daniel Kabe, Dr. Bright Sogbey, Mrs. Akorfa Ochlch, Mr. Francis Avornyotse, Mr. Daniel Agbogah and many others.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/103.5fm/Faisel Abdul-Iddrisu
