The German Ambassador to Ghana, Frederik Landshoft, has stated that young entrepreneurs, innovators, and enterprising farmers are critical to transforming Northern Ghana’s economy and driving sustainable development in the region.
He said development projects alone cannot change the fortunes of the north unless local businesses, entrepreneurs, and young people are empowered to build and invest in the region.
Speaking at the launch of the Private Sector and Innovation Promotion Project (PSInno) in Tamale, the Ambassador stressed that the future of Northern Ghana depends on individuals who are willing to turn ideas into products and create opportunities within their communities.
“The future of Northern Ghana will not be built by projects. It will be built by entrepreneurs, by farmers who decide to take risks, by innovators who turn ideas into products, and by young people who choose to build their futures here,” he stated.
The PSInno project, being implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in partnership with the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, seeks to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, job creation, and the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, particularly in agribusiness and the digital economy.
Mr. Landshoft noted that the initiative forms part of Germany’s broader commitment to supporting economic growth and development in Northern Ghana.
He further added that Germany has, over the years, supported agriculture, education, governance, peace-building and economic development initiatives in the region, including support for the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute.
The Director of MSME Development at the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Cynthia Djokoto, also highlighted the contribution of small and medium enterprises to Ghana’s economic growth, noting that the project would help improve the capacity and competitiveness of entrepreneurs while creating sustainable employment opportunities for youth and women.
Madam Cynthia Djokoto further encouraged business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to take advantage of the project’s training, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Meanwhile, recounting the challenges faced by women farmers and SMEs in Northern Ghana, the 2024 Northern Regional Best Farmer, Hajia Rafiatu Boressa, highlighted limited access to land, inadequate mechanisation services, lack of ready markets, overreliance on rain-fed agriculture, and the absence of suitable financial packages as major setbacks confronting farmers in the region.
“Our challenges are enormous. Currently, there are market distortions, and many farmers still have their 2025 produce sitting in warehouses attracting storage charges, yet there is no market for the products despite the low prices,” she lamented.
Hajia Rafiatu expressed concern that if urgent interventions are not made in Northern Ghana’s agricultural sector, the country’s future food security could be at risk.
She appealed to the government and other stakeholders to support Ghanaian farmers to prevent a situation where the country would have to rely heavily on food imports to feed its population.
