President John Dramani Mahama will lead efforts to attract international investment into the Upper East Region, as part of a broader strategy to mobilise global capital for priority development projects, the Senior Presidential Advisor and Coordinator of the Secretariat, Dr. Augustus Goosie Tanoh, has said.
The initiative is anchored in the region’s 10-year development blueprint, the Prosperity Through Enterprise, Agriculture, Resilience, and Livelihoods (PEL) framework, which carries an indicative investment portfolio of about $8.6 billion.
Speaking on behalf of the President at the Upper East Regional Development Business Forum and Exhibition in Bolgatanga, Mr Tanoh said the President would actively promote the region’s investment-ready projects in engagements with development partners, international financial institutions, and private sector investors.
“His Excellency will champion the Upper East Region’s investment-ready projects in his engagements with development partners, international financial institutions and private investors,” the statement said.
The government explained that the strategy forms part of a wider national investment mobilisation agenda, which has already identified approximately $11.5 billion in prospective investments, with about $5.5 billion already secured under binding agreements.
Officials say the Upper East PEL framework is designed to align with this broader national programme by packaging projects in a form that can attract blended finance, public-private partnerships, foreign direct investment, and climate-related funding.
The financing architecture outlined for the region also includes participation from development finance institutions, pension funds, diaspora investment instruments, and structured public sector vehicles intended to improve project bankability.
According to the government, emphasis will be placed on ensuring that proposed projects are fully developed and “investment-ready,” with detailed feasibility studies, cost structures, and risk assessments to enhance investor confidence.
The PEL framework is expected to drive investment across key sectors including agriculture, agro-processing, mining, infrastructure, and cross-border trade, with authorities positioning the region as a strategic gateway to the Sahel.
Mr Goosie Tanoh noted that the President’s direct involvement in promoting the region’s development agenda underscores its importance within national economic transformation efforts, particularly under programmes aimed at industrialisation and export-led growth.
The statement also indicated that financial institutions will be encouraged to design tailored financing products to support enterprises, cooperatives, farmers, and SMEs operating within the region.
The Upper East Regional Development Business Forum is expected to serve as a platform for engaging investors and refining project proposals before they are presented to Cabinet, Parliament, and development partners for further consideration.
