President John Dramani Mahama has assured chiefs and people of the Upper West Region that his administration will ensure the region receives its fair share of national development projects and economic opportunities.

Speaking when the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House in Accra on Wednesday, President Mahama said the government recognises the strategic importance of the region and remains committed to supporting its growth.

He said the Upper West Region, as Ghana's gateway to Burkina Faso and the wider Sahel region, has significant potential in agriculture, cross-border trade, renewable energy and tourism.

"Upper West possesses immense strategic importance as our gateway to Burkina Faso and the wider Sahel region, positioning it as a critical hub for broad and cross-border commerce across the African continent," he said.

President Mahama said the government's development agenda, including the 2026 Budget and Economic Policy, places emphasis on infrastructure expansion, export development and job creation, areas he believes will create new opportunities for the region.

He highlighted agriculture as one of the key sectors that could transform the region's economy, citing opportunities in livestock, shea nut processing, groundnuts, sorghum, millet, maize, rice and horticulture.

The President said initiatives such as the Shea Park Resource Centre would support farmers through improved mechanisation, farmer service centres, warehousing, irrigation and climate-smart technologies.

"Beyond raw shea nuts, our objective is local processing, value addition and exports of finished products anchored by the Shea Park Resource Centre," he stated.

He added that the government would continue investing in infrastructure, including roads, healthcare, education and transport systems, to unlock the economic potential of the region.

President Mahama also emphasised the role of the Upper West Region in Ghana's cross-border trade strategy, saying improved infrastructure and logistics would help connect local products to regional and continental markets.

"Every region deserves the opportunity to produce, process, manufacture and compete in the economic space," he said.

The President expressed appreciation to the chiefs and people of the Upper West Region for their support in the 2024 general election, adding that the confidence placed in his administration comes with the responsibility to govern with humility, integrity and transparency.

"Your trust imposes on us a solemn responsibility to govern with humility, integrity and transparency, to reset Ghana's economy, restore public confidence and build an economy that works for every Ghanaian, regardless of where they live," he said.

He assured the delegation that the government would continue working with traditional authorities to promote development and ensure that communities across the country benefit from national growth.