Upper West exhibits its investment potentials

Wa (Upper West) - A well-patronised industrial fair was held at Wa on Wednesday to showcase the investment potentials of the Upper West Region as one of the highlights of the week-long 20th anniversary celebration of the creation of the region.

On display were a wide variety of products manufactured by individuals and institutions in the region. The products included gas and saw dust stoves, harnessing frames for weavers, bullock drawing devices, iron beds, wooden mobile kitchen and a chair bed, all manufactured at the Nandom Technical Institute.

Incidentally, the institute's stand attracted the largest number of people at the fair. There were also locally manufactured groundnut crushers, smocks of various designs, handicrafts, locally woven textiles and cultural products such as drums and xylophones.

Taking place alongside the fair was this year's Cook Art Competition in the region, which is organised annually by Trafix Catering Services and sponsored by Unilever Ghana Limited.

Kwadwo Asiedu-Affram, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and President's Special Initiatives who opened the fair, said the celebration would not have been complete without an event of that nature.

He said an astute investor would only invest in a community, based on what it has achieved and its potential as an investment friendly destination.

Asiedu-Affram commended the Regional Co-ordinating Council for organising such an impressive fair. The Regional Minister, Sahanun Mogtari described the region as "the sleeping economic giant" and urged district assemblies, non-governmental organisations and citizens living outside to consider investing in the tourism sector in particular.

Mogtari said the hippo sanctuary at Wechaw in the Wa District, which is among the exciting 14 eco-tourism sites currently being developed by the Ghana Tourist Board offered an authentic cultural product to tourists.

According to him, the industrial sector held a great potential for handicraft, artefacts, metal work and brick manufacturing and called on investors to explore those areas for investment.

On the cook art competition, the Regional Minister advised the organisers to get down to the district and community levels, in order to stimulate interest and popularise local dishes. Madam Hajia Saani took home a set of silver saucepans as her prize for winning the competition.