Ho, Nov. 12, GNA- Organizers of the Fifth Volta Trade and Investment Fair have assured that the event would be a heavy buildup on the successes of the previous event.
The fair, which would take off on Monday, November 15, has become the regional event enjoying the most publicity in recent times, thanks to a passionate commitment of popular media personalities who are indigenes.
The hype had been increased recently, also, by a series of endorsements from popular music artistes and other known personalities.
Rev. Isaac Adza Tettey, Regional Economic Planning Officer told the Ghana News Agency (GNA), that the burden of minimal publicity on the previous show was worth noting, and 87 per cent of exhibitors who responded to a post-event assessment, confirmed a repeat visit, but also noted publicity gaps.
He said the assessment furthered the resolve of organizers to find innovative ways of promoting the event, and helped probe other components including; ground design, and choice of products, all, which would help, deliver subsequent events proficiently.
According to Rev. Tettey, the assessment done by his office confirmed the economic benefits of the 2019 event for exhibitors and that the organisers had agreed to cement it as an annual event to facilitate industrialisation and development.
Close watchers welcome second thoughts on the choice of the Ho Sports Stadium for its ground condition- an assertion continuously backed by recurrent offseason rainfall.
References have been made to the paved grounds of the Jubilee public park, which had been the venue of the first three events, but organizers love the walled arena for its size and are bringing in a weatherproof booth.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry with its agencies and departments, is a major stakeholder, and the Ghana Tourism Authority, and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), which are leading the private sector.
An initiative of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, which also spearheads the planning and execution, the forthcoming event is on the theme: Promoting Sustainable trade and Investment”.
Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, also the event’s planning committee chairman, is confident the expectations would be realised.
The Fair opens to the public, Monday morning, with a float through the city, and an official launch by Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of the Republic, would come off on Wednesday, Nov. 17 to officially open the event.
A list of prominent attendees including; Ministers of State, and Ambassadors, is building up, the various Local Assemblies in the Region would join over 500 exhibitors to showcase industrial and investment possibilities.
A lineup of activities aligned to the theme would be executed, including; workshops for SMEs, and international business meetings facilitated by the diplomatic call.
Patrons would get to attend a youth entrepreneurship summit, Industrial tours to major factories in the Region, and a sensitization seminar on the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.
There would also be fun visits to key tourist attractions as part of an official Visit Volta tour, and health walks, and musical nights would serve a holistic experience to the over 10000 expected visitors.
Interplast Ghana, a major partner to the event, would demonstrate its irrigation technologies to farmers, and the GCB, also a major contributor, had billed to sensitize on financing agriculture.
New and developing industries in the Region would be available, and among them is the nation’s manufacturer of ethanol, Caltech, exporter of potatoes, Maphlix Farms, and also indigenous paint manufacturing company, Agartex.
First Sky Group Limited has secured a GHC 20 million insurance cover for the two-week burnout through its Serene Insurance Company, and is among corporate entities availing accommodation and sub event venues.
Security has been assured, and enforcement of COVID-19 protocols in close collaboration with related agencies.
The Office of the Environmental Health Department in the Region is expected to execute at least three cleanup efforts in the week prior.
GNA observed the concluding parts of painting works at the stadium, and was told water and electricity distribution works were ongoing ahead of the installation of exhibition structures on Friday.