The Oti Regional Minister-designate, John Kwadwo Gyapong, has revealed his ambitious vision for transforming the agricultural and economic landscape of the Oti Region through large-scale irrigation and industrialisation projects.
During his vetting on Thursday, January 23, Mr. Gyapong highlighted the strategic advantages of the region, such as the Oti River and Volta Lake, which he intends to harness for extensive irrigation systems.
“The Oti Region is fortunate to have the Oti River, and we are bordered by the Volta Lake to the west. These two abundant water sources provide us with a unique opportunity to irrigate the entire region,” he stated. “By implementing irrigation, we can encourage the youth to engage in farming and remain in the region, as there will be more enterprises for them to work in.”
In addition to irrigation, Mr. Gyapong proposed the establishment of a cocoa processing factory in the region. Despite Ghana’s status as a leading cocoa producer and the Oti Region’s significant role in cocoa farming, he lamented the absence of a processing facility between Tema and Oti.
“I plan to bring in a strategic partner to set up a cocoa processing factory. This will allow us to process cocoa locally, create jobs for the youth, reduce rural-urban migration, and add value to our products, thereby boosting the region’s economy,” he noted.
Mr. Gyapong’s proposed initiatives are expected to elevate the living standards of Oti’s predominantly agrarian population and contribute to the overall economic growth of Ghana.
Credit : myjoyonline
