The Central Region Development Commission (CEDECOM) is seeking the support of traditional authorities and political leaders in the region to help execute its mandate.

CEDECOM, an agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, which also serves as the technical wing of the Central Regional Coordinating Council, is mandated to spearhead activities targeted at developing the Central Region, in collaboration with the private sector to improve the lives of the people.

Notwithstanding the rich investment potentials that abound in the Central Region, there seems to be a significant dearth of investments in the region. 

This situation has largely resulted in high levels of unemployment and reduced economic growth in the Central Region.

The meeting that took place at the Central Regional House of Chiefs was to see how best the traditional leaders and the political leaders could commit to practical steps to woo investors into the region and to provide resources to help improve the lives of the people in the area.

Addressing the House of Chiefs, Ag. CEO of CEDECOM, Spencer Taylor, called on the Parliamentarians and the Chiefs to look at the best way of helping to overturn the current description of the region as the fourth poorest in Ghana.

Mr Taylor indicated it was even more unacceptable when it was clear that the region has a comparative and competitive advantage in terms of resources such as citrus, pineapple, fish, salt, oil palm, tourism and education among others.

“We proposed a road map towards attracting considerable investments into the region through an international conference dubbed, ‘Central Region Investment Conference’,” he indicated.

 The investment conference, he says is expected to serve as a catalyst to encourage investments in the region’s resources and aim at courting the international community of investors besides local prospective investors to the Central Region by projecting the region as the preferred investment destination in Ghana, showcase the investment potentials of the region and offering business opportunities available among others.

Mr Taylor discussed with the MPs and the Chiefs the new direction CEDECOM was moving to make a reasonable and viable impact in the lives of the people.

“The CEDECOM board finally came up with three strategic thrusts namely: industrialization, entrepreneurship and investment promotion.”

“It is considered that the implementation of activities under the three pillars will ultimately create the much-needed jobs, especially, for the youth, enhance incomes and improve the socio-economic wellbeing of the region,” he shared.

The new strategic direction, he said, is in sync with the current mandate of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Central Region Coordinating Council (The technical wing of CEDECOM).

MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong said the region cannot afford to depend solely on government for its needs. 

He encouraged the chiefs to help release land to investors to develop their respective areas rather than selling lands for their personal interest.

“I am confident that if we put our shoulders to the wheel, we can make a reasonable impact in the region. Myself and the MP for Twifo Atti-Mokwa have brought some investors and we are bringing more of them to help develop our region. We can do it,” he assured.

MP for Twifo Atti-Mokwaa, Abraham Dwuma Odoom, urged the chiefs to open their doors to receive the numerous investment opportunities that are coming.

The Regional House of Chiefs expressed their appreciation to CEDECOM and the MPS for such a move that seeks to bring smiles on the faces of the people in the region.