Mr Francis Dusey, Ho West District Chief Executive, has outlined strategic investment opportunities in agriculture, tourism, culture and industry at the Seventh Volta Trade and Investment Fair profile reading engagement.
Mr Dusey, popularly known as “Profer,” said the District was positioning itself as one of Ghana’s most promising emerging investment destinations, citing peace, security and investor-friendly land acquisition systems as major advantages.
He said these at the District Day event of the Fair.
“We enjoy a peaceful and secure environment with minimal conflict and easy access to land through our traditional authorities,” he said.
He noted that the district, located between the Togo Ranges and the fertile Volta plains, spans over 1,002 square kilometres and is endowed with natural resources including forests, minerals, fertile lands and water bodies.
“We also have a youthful labour force ready for employment and a growing road network linking farming communities to markets,” he added.
Agriculture, which employs more than 70 per cent of households, remains the backbone of the local economy.
Mr Dusey revealed that only 23,167 hectares out of 62,261 hectares of arable land were currently under cultivation—leaving over 60 per cent available for investors.
He highlighted opportunities in mechanised commercial farming for maize, rice, cassava, yam, plantain, cocoa and vegetables, supported by favourable temperatures and bimodal rainfall, as well as prospects in agro-processing such as starch and gari production, rice milling, maize processing and oil palm production.
Livestock, poultry and spice production were also cited as key growth areas, with Ho West earning the tag “Spice District of the Volta Region” for its production of ginger, black pepper, turmeric, nutmeg, alligator pepper and xylopia.
He noted that Kpoeta-Ashanti was fast emerging as a coffee-growing community, opening opportunities for plantation expansion, processing facilities and eco-tourism through coffee experience tours.
Tourism was described as a “natural jewel awaiting global attention,” anchored by attractions including Mount Gemi, Ote and Aya-Fie waterfalls, the Kalakpa Resource Reserve, ancient caves and the Amedzofe canopy walkway.
“With our cool mountain climate of about 16 degrees Celsius, Ho West can become Ghana’s Mountain Tourism Capital,” he said.
The DCE said the District’s 16 traditional councils, vibrant festivals and performing arts such as Borborbor, Adabatram and Zibo presented opportunities for cultural tourism, craft development and a cultural market hub.
On industry, Mr Dusey said the Assembly was open to partnerships in light manufacturing, agro-processing, packaging, furniture and wood processing, and food and beverage production. He highlighted deposits of chromite, talc and gneiss for ceramics, cosmetics and construction materials, and increased opportunities in hospitality including resorts, lodges, wellness and retreat centres.
“Ho West is open for business, and we believe in public-private partnerships to drive transformation,” he said.