The Western Region, long regarded as one of Ghana’s economic powerhouses due to its vast reserves of cocoa, gold, and oil, is taking bold steps to ensure that its natural wealth translates into tangible benefits for its residents.
With a population of over 2 million, accounting for nearly 7% of Ghana’s total, the region has re-launched the Western Regional Investment and Business Centre, an initiative aimed at attracting investors, fostering innovation, and creating jobs through strategic collaboration and resource coordination.
At the official launch, Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson emphasized the urgent need to shift from rhetoric to action.
“We have lamented for far too long,” he stated. “Now is the time to take the bull by the horns, take control of our destiny, and ensure this region finally receives the attention and benefits its people rightfully deserve.”
Minister Nelson noted that the centre’s core mission is to unite key stakeholders, streamline resource utilization, and create a business-friendly environment that directly improves local livelihoods.
“The journey has just begun,” he added. “But I am confident that we will soon look back and see the significant progress we’ve made.”
Inclusive Leadership for Strategic Growth
To oversee the centre’s operations and ensure its long-term success, a 15-member committee has been inaugurated. The committee brings together representatives from strategic sectors, including agriculture, tourism, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), the Free Zones Authority, and traditional authorities.
Representing the traditional leadership, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, highlighted the longstanding disconnect between the Region’s resource wealth and the well-being of its people.
“We must find a way to participate in the utilization of the resources God has naturally endowed us with,” he said. “This centre is the vehicle through which we will uplift our people and ensure they are at the heart of every investment.”
Nana Nketsia underscored the importance of local involvement in all investment activities, insisting that the community must be viewed as a partner—not a bystander.
“Let me be clear: no investor comes here for charity. Every investor comes for profit, and we must be part of that profit-making,” he declared. “This local partnership provides a fundamental sense of security for any investor, signaling that the community supports their venture.”
A New Era of Local Empowerment
The re-launch of the Western Regional Investment and Business Centre marks a strategic turning point in the region’s development narrative. By fostering public-private partnerships and prioritizing local empowerment, the initiative aims to unlock the region’s full economic potential.
With a coordinated push from government, traditional leaders, and the private sector, the Western Region is poised to become not just a resource-rich area but a model of inclusive growth and sustainable development.
