News Guide Africa

Tag: Hon. James Gunu

  • Council of State Member, Volta Regional Minister, Ghana’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Others to Grace Sremanu Tutu Do Festival – Assemblymember Assures

    Council of State Member, Volta Regional Minister, Ghana’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Others to Grace Sremanu Tutu Do Festival – Assemblymember Assures

    The Assemblymember for Wuxor, Have, and Sremanu Electoral Area in the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region, Hon. Japhet Festus Gbede, has announced that this year’s Sremanu Tutu Do Festival will be graced by a host of distinguished dignitaries, signaling one of the most anticipated celebrations in recent years.

     

    According to the Assemblymember, the lineup of guests expected to attend includes H.E. Dr. Gabriel Kwamigah Tanko Atokple Adovoe, Member of the Council of State; Hon. James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister; and H.E. Alhaji Said Sinare, Ghana’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Several other high-profile personalities from government, traditional authorities, and the private sector are also expected to join the festivities.

     

    Speaking to the media ahead of the celebration, the Assemblymember assured residents and visitors that all arrangements are well underway to ensure a colorful and incident-free festival.

     

    “This year’s Sremanu Tutu Do Festival will be a memorable one. I am working extremely closely with the Central Planning Committee, the chiefs, and opinion leaders to make sure our guests and the people of Sremanu enjoy a rich cultural experience,” he said.

     

     

     

    He added that the festival will not only showcase the rich cultural heritage of Sremanu but also serve as a rallying point for development and community unity, particularly as efforts continue toward the completion of the KVIP project and the construction of a six-unit classroom block for the Sremanu M/A Basic School.

     

    “This festival is not just about drumming and dancing. It’s about development. We have already started the projects through small community contributions, and we are hopeful that the presence of these dignitaries will inspire more support,” he emphasized.

     

     

     

    The Sremanu Tutu Do Festival, which has been revived after years of dormancy, seeks to bring together citizens both home and abroad to renew their commitment to community growth, cultural preservation, and unity.

     

    The event is scheduled to take place in December 2025, with several activities lined up, including a fundraising durbar, health screening, traditional displays, and youth empowerment programs.

     

    Residents and visitors are being encouraged to come in their numbers to experience the warmth, culture, and developmental spirit of Sremanu as the town positions itself as a beacon of unity and headquarters of development in the Akatsi South.

  • Volta Economic Forum 2025: A New Era for Ghana’s Economic Development

    Volta Economic Forum 2025: A New Era for Ghana’s Economic Development

    The Volta Region is set to host the inaugural Volta Economic Forum 2025 this week, at the Reddington Beach Resort in Keta.
    This landmark event aims to position the region as Ghana’s next economic frontier, attracting local and international investors across key growth sectors.
    The Forum is a significant step towards unlocking the region’s economic potential and promoting sustainable development. With its rich resources and strategic location, the Volta Region is poised to become a major economic hub in Ghana
    With the theme “Harnessing the Volta Corridor Economic Potential for the 24-Hour Economy Take-off,” the Forum is designed as a strategic investment platform to attract both local and international investors across key growth sectors including energy, agribusiness, tourism, manufacturing, logistics and the blue economy.
    Organisers say the Forum goes beyond dialogue. It aims to chart a coordinated policy framework that aligns public and private sector priorities for inclusive and sustainable regional development.
    Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, Volta Regional Commissioner of the National Development Planning Commission, described the upcoming Forum as “a defining moment and a call to action for investors and policymakers to unlock the region’s full potential.”
    According to him, Volta’s strategic coastal location, skilled workforce, and expanding infrastructure base make it a prime destination for investment and industrial growth under Ghana’s evolving 24-hour economy initiative.
    The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), through its flagship Investment Opportunity Mapping Project (IOMP), is spearheading this process by identifying and promoting localised economic potential across all 261 districts.
    The Volta Region, described by Regional Minister, Mr James Gunu as “a land of peace, purity, and possibility,” stands out for its fertile land, rich water bodies, and skilled human resource base. Over 700,000 hectares of arable land remain uncultivated, offering a vast canvas for agribusiness expansion.
    Through the Grow24 initiative, anchored in the 24-hour economy policy, the region is promoting mechanised farming, cold-chain systems, and farmer cooperatives to scale agricultural productivity.
    Key crops include maize, rice, cassava, coffee, tomatoes, and yams, while the Volta Lake supports a thriving aquaculture sector with opportunities in fish feed, processing, and packaging.
    Agro-processing industries, particularly in rice milling, cassava starch, tomato paste, and palm oil, are expanding under new partnerships.
    With its proximity to Togo and connection to the national transport network, Volta also serves as a strategic trade and logistics corridor, linking northern Ghana to export gateways through lake transport.
    Agriculture and agro-Industry:
    Volta’s soil fertility supports year-round cultivation of pawpaw, banana, coconut, maize, and yam. Rice farms at Aveyime, Weta irrigation projects, and cassava processing facilities are key investment-ready ventures. Cocoa and shade-tree agroforestry, citrus and honey production, and cassava-maize value chains also hold significant promise.
    Manufacturing and industrialisation:
    The region is home to Mayanar Fabrications Ltd., Hohoe Auto Industrial Park, and the Juapong Textiles Factory, with additional opportunities in quarrying and cement distribution through the Diamond Cement factory in Aflao. Under the MAKE24 Industrial Parks Programme, plans are underway for agro-processing, renewable energy, and textile clusters powered by solar and bioenergy.
    Renewable energy and sustainability:
    Partnerships involving Cotech Ghana Ltd., GreenTek Ventures, UHAS, and Ho Technical University are pioneering biogas digesters and solar-powered water systems. Hybrid solar grids at Aveyime demonstrate Volta’s capacity for clean, self-sufficient energy solutions.
    Service and hospitality sector:
    Volta’s emerging urban centres are ideal for private clinics, diagnostic centres, Business Process Outsourcing services, and hotels or conference venues. These facilities will complement regional industrialisation and tourism.
    Tourism, culture, and craftsmanship
    Volta’s natural and cultural landscapes remain among Ghana’s most scenic. Attractions such as Wli Falls, Mount Afadja, Tagbo Falls, Amedzofe, Mount Gemi, Tafi Atome, and the Likpe Ancestral Caves provide opportunities for eco-lodges, guided adventure tourism, and cultural experiences.
    In Vume, the region’s renowned pottery industry demonstrates a thriving craft tradition ripe for commercial expansion. Alongside Kpetoe’s kente weaving and Avatime’s handicrafts, these industries form the foundation of a creative economy that can blend cultural authenticity with export potential.
    From Kpeve’s panoramic highlands to Lake Volta’s scenic waterfront, opportunities abound in eco-resorts, leisure cruises, and sustainable tourism investments.
    Reviving legacy industries
    The government’s plan to revive the Hohoe coffee factory, originally established by Dr Kwame Nkrumah, underscores its commitment to rural industrialisation. Mr Gunu has assured coffee farmers of renewed government and investor support to restore commercial coffee farming and processing, with the aim of branding Ziavi Coffee as a unique regional product for domestic and export markets.
    These initiatives complement ongoing work in cassava and maize processing, cocoa fermentation, and agro-based manufacturing, offering investors ready markets and structured value chains.
    The roadshow framework and collaboration
    The Volta Regional Investment Roadshow will unfold over three days, beginning with courtesy calls to traditional leaders, media engagements, and project site visits. The central event at the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, will feature stakeholder presentations, business-to-business (B2B) sessions, and project showcases linking investors with project developers.
    Participating partners include the Office of the Chief of Staff, 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Volta Regional Coordinating Council.
    Mapping Opportunities for Ghana’s Future
    The IOMP launched in July 2025, represents a bold shift toward evidence-based investment promotion. It aims to build a comprehensive database of verified district-specific opportunities to guide investor decisions.
    Speaking at the project’s launch, Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah described it as “a turning point for Ghana’s development, ensuring that every Ghanaian has a fair chance to benefit from investment-led growth.”
    GIPC’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Simon Madjie(Esq.), has been instrumental in driving this vision. With extensive experience in trade policy, law, and business networking, he has emphasised the need to grow both Local Direct Investment and Foreign Direct Investment. His approach centres on connecting Ghanaian enterprises with global markets through data, partnerships, and innovation.
    Mr Madjie explained that the IOMP is not only about identifying opportunities but ensuring that they translate into bankable projects that create jobs and improve livelihoods.
    The Volta Regional Investment Roadshow offers a gateway for investors seeking sustainable, high-impact ventures. With abundant natural resources, skilled labour, renewable energy potential, and strong government support, the Volta Region stands ready to drive Ghana’s next phase of inclusive growth.
    As Minister James Gunu affirmed, “The future of Ghana’s 24-hour economy begins here, in the Volta Region. Ghana is open for business again. Visit Volta, experience Ghana.”
  • NPP was allergic to road construction in Volta Region – James Gunu

    NPP was allergic to road construction in Volta Region – James Gunu

    The Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, has launched a scathing criticism against the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), accusing them of deliberately neglecting the Volta Region in the area of road infrastructure during their time in office.

    Speaking at a colorful sod-cutting ceremony in Titrinu, Ho, on Tuesday, Hon. Gunu described the NPP as “allergic to road construction in the Volta Region,” insisting that their track record in the region exposed a deep-seated bias and disregard for the welfare of the people.

    According to him, successive NPP governments consistently overlooked critical road networks in the Volta Region despite the enormous socio-economic benefits such projects would bring to the area. He noted that bad roads have long impeded agricultural productivity, trade, access to health care, and overall economic growth in the region.

    The Minister announced that under President John Dramani Mahama’s visionary “Big Push Project”, major roads across the Volta Region, including the Ho-Aflao stretch, will receive immediate attention. The initiative, he said, demonstrates the NDC government’s commitment to equitable development and inclusion for all regions.

    “Today marks a turning point,” Hon. Gunu declared. “Where others turned a blind eye, President Mahama has stepped in with bold interventions. These road projects will not only improve connectivity but also open new opportunities for businesses, farmers, and youth in the Volta Region.”

    The sod-cutting ceremony brought together traditional leaders, community members, and party faithful, who hailed the development as long overdue. Chiefs in the area pledged their support and urged the government to ensure timely execution of the projects.

    Residents expressed excitement, describing the project as a major relief after years of neglect and hardship. Many noted that improved road networks will reduce travel time, attract investors, and enhance access to markets and social services.

    The Big Push Project is one of President Mahama’s flagship initiatives, aimed at driving large-scale infrastructure development across Ghana. For the Volta Region, the road component is expected to transform livelihoods and restore confidence in the government’s commitment to fairness and national balance.

  • Volta Region’s Unwavering Support for Mahama Rooted in Experience, Promise, and Proven Leadership – Regional Minister Declares

    The Volta Region’s massive endorsement of President John Dramani Mahama in the 2024 general elections — with a resounding 90.12% of the vote — was not accidental, but a decisive statement of belief in tested leadership and a vision that speaks directly to the region’s aspirations. This was the strong message delivered by Volta Regional Minister Hon. James Gunu during a courtesy call on President Mahama at the Presidency on Thursday.

    The visit, led by the Volta Regional Minister and the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, was aimed at discussing regional development and renewing the region’s partnership with the new government.

    According to Hon. James Gunu, the region’s backing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its flagbearer stemmed from three clear reasons: confidence in Mahama’s seasoned leadership, the relevance of the NDC’s development blueprint, and a political history rooted in tangible progress under NDC governments.

    > “We were inspired by the unmatched leadership experience and proven track record of President Mahama — a statesman who understands the soul of this nation and has consistently delivered when it mattered most,” Hon James Gunu stated.

    He emphasized that the NDC’s 2024 manifesto had a distinct Volta-centered focus, detailing 33 transformational projects that touch every major sector — from roads and industrial parks to education and employment.

    > “This wasn’t just another manifesto. It was a contract of purpose. It laid out concrete plans to unlock the full potential of our region,” he said. “And we recognized that. We responded not with noise, but with numbers — at the ballot box.”

    Gunu also highlighted what he described as the region’s “clear political memory,” noting that development in Volta has always seen real traction under NDC leadership. “This truth has become our compass,” he said.

    The minister’s remarks came as part of a wider conversation with the President, during which the President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, also addressed the gathering. He took the opportunity to commend President Mahama’s early gestures toward the region and outlined a list of priorities for his administration.

    Togbe Tepre Hodo IV praised the President for selecting the Volta Region as the first stop on his thank-you tour and for appointing natives of the region into key positions in government. He acknowledged improvements in macroeconomic stability, particularly in stabilizing the cedi and moderating inflation and fuel prices.

    He lauded the government’s recent National Education Forum and mid-year budget allocations for critical road projects in the region, while urging that these infrastructure commitments not be delayed.

    > “Given that these are multi-year projects, we pray they are started in time and completed during his current tenure,” he said.

    The Chiefs also appealed for targeted support to strengthen traditional governance, including budgeted workshops for newly inaugurated traditional councils and legal guidance on the best model for engaging in the Feed Ghana Project.

    Togbe Tepre Hodo IV further called for urgent attention to unresolved regional challenges, including inland immigration posts at Asikuma and Sogakope, the completion of the Keta Port and Ho Airport, the long-stalled eastern corridor roads, and sea defense infrastructure in Agavedzi.

    He underscored the need to boost capacity at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho, not only to improve local healthcare training but also to develop an export-ready health workforce to tackle unemployment.

    > “We as chiefs will continue to support your government with ideas and suggestions in order to reset and move this country forward,” he assured.