Trade Fair to boost investment in SADA zone

Alhaji Adam Sulley, Board Chairman of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) said the 20th Ghana International Trade Fair, which kicked off in Tamale on Thursday, would boost investment opportunities in the SADA zone.

He said it was the first time such an event had been moved from the national capital to the Northern Region, stressing that the objective was part of the strategic rebranding of the Authority to attract the needed investments to the area for accelerated growth.

Alhaji Sulley who was addressing the opening ceremony of the one week fair in Tamale, urged both local and international exhibitors participating in the fair to take advantage to partner and link-up with local enterprises for mutual benefits.

The fair, which is being organized by the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited with support from the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) is under the theme: “Two decades of International Trade Fair in Ghana, exploring business opportunities in the SADA zone of Ghana”.

Some of the products on exhibition included shea butter, smocks, locally produced sandals, dawadawa products and locally manufactured machines. Some exhibitors from the construction industry, banking, insurance, hoteliers among others are also participating in the fair.

The fair also attracted international exhibitors from Togo, Nigeria, South Africa, China, Senegal, India and Syria with about 500 institutions participating.

Alhaji Sulley said that when the area is opened for business activities, it would be transformed and jobs would be created to reduce unemployment and poverty.

He said the SADA ecological zone was endowed with arable lands for agricultural productivity that would positively increase the country’s food security needs and reduce hunger.

Mrs. Hannah Amoateng, Board Chairperson for the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, said it was for strategic reason of unlocking the business opportunities in the SADA ecological zone that the fair had been moved from Accra to Tamale.

She urged participants to exhibit their products peacefully and eschew any acts that would affect the positive celebration of the fair, stressing that “We must embrace the peace for the 2016 general election”.

Justice Samuel Adjei, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, who opened the fair on behalf of the President, John Dramani Mahama, wished all the participants fruitful deliberation.

The President, John Dramani Mahama is expected to visit the event before Sunday, March 6th when the fair would be brought to a close.