Export or lose out – Afoko demands Airport for Upper East region

Ghanaian businessman Awentami Paul Afoko is advocating for the urgent construction of an international airport in the Upper East Region, asserting it is vital for unlocking the area's significant agricultural and export potential. Speaking at a Regional Development Framework forum in Bolgatanga, Afoko stressed that strategic investments in agriculture, infrastructure, and trade are key to economic transformation.

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As an entrepreneur, I have learnt that governments do not create businesses; entrepreneurs do. Government’s responsibility is to create the environment within which businesses can thrive.

Afoko highlighted the importance of irrigation and commercial farming for year-round production of fruits, vegetables, and flowers destined for international markets. He noted that the primary challenge is not finding buyers but achieving sufficient scale and consistency in production. To enhance competitiveness, he also called for investment in warehouses, cold-chain facilities, packaging centers, and standardized production systems for local products like shea butter, basket weaving, and textiles.

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The challenge is not finding buyers. The challenge is producing at sufficient scale throughout the year.

"We need an airport urgently so that flowers from the Upper East can reach Europe before Kenyan flowers do," Afoko stated, emphasizing the competitive edge an airport would provide. He believes it would significantly boost exports and enable the region to seize timely opportunities. Furthermore, Afoko pointed to the region's strategic location as an advantage for expanding cross-border trade with neighboring countries through robust economic diplomacy.

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We must organise ourselves to produce standardised products and invest in warehouses, cold chains, and packaging so that we become year-round suppliers.

He urged the government, diplomats, and development partners to collaborate in positioning the Upper East Region as a major agricultural and export hub within West Africa. Afoko's call underscores a vision for regional development driven by enhanced infrastructure and a focus on export-oriented agriculture.

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We need an airport urgently so that flowers from the Upper East can reach Europe before Kenyan flowers do. Burkina Faso produces strawberries, and we can do the same.