Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson has urged government institutions to strengthen their engagement with the Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC). This call aims to maximise the region’s economic potential through better investment and export promotion.
Closer cooperation among agencies like the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) is crucial. Such collaboration ensures that investments contribute meaningfully to job creation, increased production, and export growth. Mr. Nelson made these remarks during a visit by GEPA’s Chief Executive Officer, Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, to the Western Region.
Ghana’s economy continues to rely significantly on imports, making it vital to expand domestic production. The Western Region, with its rich natural resources and industrial activities, is a key area for this national agenda. Data from the Ghana Statistical Service often highlights regional disparities in economic output, underscoring the need for targeted development. Improving coordination could significantly boost the region's contribution to national GDP, which saw a 3.2% growth in Q2 2026.
Minister Nelson specifically raised concerns about inadequate information-sharing practices. He stated that the WRCC is often unaware of companies operating in the region, even after their registration by agencies like GIPC. “When you register companies, for example, and they come to the region, where do they go?” Mr. Nelson asked. He added, “If the WRCC doesn't know of them, how do we complement the effort? How do we support them?”
This lack of coordination limits the region’s ability to support investors effectively. It also hinders responses to challenges, such as disputes with host communities. A structured system for information exchange is necessary to prevent state institutions from working in isolation. Such a system would combine their mandates and networks to build a stronger investment environment. This approach would ultimately boost the Western Region’s contribution to Ghana’s export and economic development agenda. Decision-makers will watch for concrete steps to implement these coordination mechanisms.