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Dr Daniel McKoley, the Chief Executive Officer of the McDan Group of Companies, has stated that the Volta Region has abundant natural resources, many of which are untapped and needed to be aggressively unlocked to create opportunities. He said if implemented properly, the Volta Economic Corridor Potentials initiative could create about $9 billion opportunities for the youth, to mitigate the high unemployment rate in the region and the country as a whole. Dr McKoley, at the maiden Volta Economic Forum, held at Whuti in the Anloga district of the Volta Region, said that despite resources, the region’s potential remained largely untapped. “The Volta Region can generate $9 billion opportunities, is it our attitude, is it our nature, or are we not deliberate, or are we joking,” he said. He said the rich resources in the region such as timber, iron, and high-quality stone quarry particular in high quality, were far surpasses those found in other areas in the world while Afadjato Mountain was another area of opportunity, with seven different types of stones available which were often left unused or underutilised. The entrepreneur explained that tourism potential in Volta region was also significant, with scenic attractions, waterfalls, and cultural sites, which could possibly develop health tourism to leverage the region’s natural resources and cultural beliefs. “Volta’s agricultural potential is also substantial, with fertile land and water resources available. I believe that the region can reckon billions in agriculture as well if all these resources are tapped well,” he said. Dr McKoley was passionate about unlocking the region’s potential adding that, “I’m an entrepreneur, I can see money, and I can see employment, I can see wealth in this region, which need intentional action and investment. “We must all sign up for something. We have to take action with our words. The private sector must take the lead, with government support,” he added. He noted that the region’s youth population, which made up about 70 per cent of the population, must be empowered to contribute to the economy and believed that the 24-hour economy concept could be a game-changer for the area, with opportunities for aggregation and smart work. He stressed that Volta Region had the potential to be a hub for aviation, with private jets bringing in investors and tourists and cited an example of Rwanda’s tourism industry, which generated significant revenue. Dr McKoley said to unlock the region’s potential, infrastructural development was crucial and emphasised the need for connectivity to improved infrastructure development to facilitate economic activity. He encouraged the private sector to take the lead in driving growth and development in the region, starting with a single step, no matter how long the journey would be. He said the Volta Region was rich in natural resources, and with the right approach, it could become a major economic hub, adding that the future of the area looked bright with opportunities for growth and development and appealed to the well meaningful entrepreneurs, to come together to make it happen. Mr Eric Opoku, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, said the event was an opportunity to invest in green energy by integrating other renewable energies such as solar to provide greater volumes. He said with the region’s serene aquatic environment, the corridor could become an ideal destination for Lake cruises among others, while the corridor would enhance rural urban connectivity and position Ghana as a regional production and trade hub.
