The Central Region has launched this year’s Trade and Investment fair dubbed Central Expo, targeted at boosting investment in the region and promoting existing businesses.
The Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panyin Eduamoah Okyere, indicated at the launch that his administration would not relent in efforts to transform the Central Region to become a major business hub in Ghana.
This year’s expo, which will be held from August 23 to August 30, 2025, at the Adisadel School Park, is on the theme: “Unlocking business opportunities in the Central Region.”
Some 300 exhibitors, including artefact dealers, agribusinesses, financial institutions and industries, are expected to participate in the fair.
Mr Okyere said the region was endowed with so much potential in natural and human resources and it was time to harness the untapped potential of the region.
He said such resources must be adequately and strategically harnessed to further enhance the socioeconomic gains for the people of the region.
He dismissed notions that the region was poor, stressing that its huge potential must be optimised for growth.
“We are not poor,” he stated, adding that “this year’s Central Expo 2025 has come to ensure that the region is liberated to harness its full potential in terms of tourism, agriculture, education and pushing the development of the region.”
The Central Expo is a week-long annual exhibition and fair spearheaded by the Regional Coordinating Council, with support from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) and COA Research and Manufacturing Limited and other organisations, aimed at showcasing the region’s indigenous culture, natural resources, tourist attractions, businesses, manufactured products and business ideas.
Mr Okyere said a country without industries was a country that was not growing and called on investors to explore the region for investment.
GEPA
The Deputy Chief Executive for GEPA, Ambrose Edwin Nsarkoh, said the Central Expo had, over the years, served as a platform for exporters to explore opportunities and to build networks for growth.
Guests at the Central Expo launch
He said GEPA intended to build an export training school in Cape Coast to build the people’s capacity and ideas for export.
He presented GH¢100,000 towards the organisation of the fair.
The President General of COA-RMCL, Dr Ato Duncan, called for the exploration of herbal medicine and what he called green gold for the accelerated development of the country and region.
He also donated GH¢100,000 towards the event.
The President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Breman Traditional Area, Odeefuo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, pledged the support of the traditional authorities in the region towards the success of the fair.
Activities for the week-long programme include a cultural night, cooking competition and food festival, as well as an Environmental Protection Agency day on the theme: “Say no to galamsey” and an awards night.