The Volta Region must move beyond showcasing its economic potential and focus on attracting investments that create jobs, strengthen local businesses and improve livelihoods, Presidential Adviser on National Resilience and Emergency Preparedness, Ernest Brogya Genfi, has said at the Volta Economic Forum.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, at the 2026 Asohli Teza Edition of the Volta Economic Forum in Ho, Brogya Genfi said the success of the gathering should be measured not by the opportunities discussed, but by the investments and projects that emerge from it.

The forum, held under the theme “From Opportunity Showcase to Investment Execution,” brought together investors, business leaders, entrepreneurs, traditional authorities, project promoters and development institutions.

According to Brogya Genfi, the Volta Region already possesses the resources needed to drive meaningful economic growth, including fertile land, the Volta Lake, a coastline, rich cultural assets and a skilled population.

The challenge, he said, was to translate these advantages into viable businesses, improved incomes and decent employment.

“What Volta needs now is the discipline to turn those assets into viable businesses, better incomes, and decent jobs,” he said.

He urged stakeholders to leave the forum with a clear and prioritised list of investment-ready projects, rather than allowing discussions to end when the event does.

Each project, he said, should have an identified lead, clear financing requirements, a defined next step and a timeline for implementation. He also called for a dedicated team to track commitments and report regularly on progress.

“A successful forum should still be visible after the banners have come down,” he said.

Brogya Genfi stressed that turning investment proposals into reality would require a coordinated effort from the government, financial institutions, traditional authorities and the private sector.

While the government must provide stable policies, infrastructure and timely decisions, he said financial institutions should develop financing arrangements that respond to the needs of agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and growing local enterprises.

Traditional authorities, he added, had an important role to play in facilitating access to land, building community confidence and protecting the long-term interests of investors.

The private sector, he said, must bring capital, management expertise and the market discipline needed to make businesses sustainable.

“When each party does its part, good projects have a genuine chance to succeed,” he said.

Beyond attracting major investments, Brogya Genfi said development in the region must create opportunities for ordinary people, including farmers, artisans, transport operators, suppliers and young professionals.

He called for women-led businesses and young entrepreneurs to have fair access to procurement opportunities, training and finance.

“Development becomes real when families can trace it to a job, a reliable market, or a stronger local business,” he said.

He cited farmers in South Tongu who need dependable buyers, young entrepreneurs in Ho seeking to expand their businesses, and fishermen around the Volta Lake who require facilities such as cold storage.

These, he noted, were the kinds of practical challenges that investment should address.

Brogya Genfi consequently urged stakeholders to ensure that by the time the next festival is held, the region will have concrete results to show for the commitments made at the forum.

“Let us be ready to count signed deals, capital mobilised, projects under construction, and people put to work,” he said.

He noted that the region had for years been described as a “place of promise” and challenged stakeholders to turn that promise into visible economic progress.

His call comes amid ongoing efforts to advance the Volta Economic Corridor, a government initiative aimed at strengthening agriculture, industry, transport, employment and trade around the Volta Lake.