More local and foreign investors and exhibitors tripped to the Northern Region’s capital, Tamale, to participate in the 20th Ghana International Trade Fair and Exhibition, which primarily seeks to attract sustained investments into the country’s potent Savannah Ecological Zone.

The investors went to highlight their services and potentials as well as solicit for new partnerships and ideas to enhance the growth of their businesses.

The fair was held at the Tamale Sports Stadium and saw over 280 exhibitors from the SADA Zone and the 26 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies showcasing their wares and services.

About 500 participants comprised of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Ministry of Trade and Industry, hoteliers and some financial institutions as well as small and medium enterprises showcased a variety of products; including iron-ore, lime deposits and raw materials that affirm the emerging potential for manufacturing within the SADA Zone.

Senior Investment Promotion Officer in the Tamale Office of the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority, Christopher Sedor, in an interview encouraged local businesses to patronise and take advantage of the fair to network and forge partnerships so as to expand their business.

He urged the youth to take advantage of investors to link up with them as foreign partners to acquire more business ideas that will help establish their own businesses instead of looking to government for job opportunities.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Trade Fair Company, Abdul Kudus Shakuru, appealed to people in the north to show keen interest in the fair.

According to him, it is their expectation that most companies from within and outside the country will collaborate to ensure sustainability for the few businesses in the region, as well create more jobs that will help to alleviate poverty.

He said the region was chosen due to its potentials in the agricultural sector, and other resources that can help the nation generate funds to embark on developmental projects.

Mr. Shakuru indicated that the fair hinges on the two core values -- trade and investment potentials in the host region; hence the need for development-oriented partnerships that can help expand and open-up more industries in the region.

"Our quest in organising the fair at Tamale was to open and unlock the vast business and investment potentials in the Savannah Ecological Zone, which is endowed with enormous business potentials," he said.

This, he said, if successful implemented will reduce poverty, unemployment and also eliminate conflict -- which is endemic in the SADA Zone.

"No society or nation can become industrialised in a chaotic and conflict-breeding environment, and the people here must embrace peace and live in unity to enable SADA achieve its vision of transforming its operational area," he stated.