The Government has pledged to incorporate key projects under the Upper East Region’s Prosperity through Enterprise, Agriculture, Resilience and Livelihoods (PEARL) Framework into Ghana’s national development planning and medium-term budgeting process to accelerate the region’s transformation.
The commitment, announced on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama by Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy Initiative, Mr Augustus Obuadum Tanoh, is expected to provide national policy backing and financial support for priority projects identified under the 10-year development strategy.
Speaking at the launch of the PEARL Framework during the Upper East Regional Development and Business Forum and Exhibition in Bolgatanga, Mr Tanoh said the framework would be subjected to stakeholder validation before being incorporated into national planning.
He explained that President Mahama would direct relevant planning institutions and sector ministries to integrate the framework’s priority programmes into government’s development agenda.
“His Excellency will direct appropriate national planning institutions and relevant sector ministries to engage in the priority projects and programmes emerging from this forum so that they are integrated into our national development planning and medium-term budgeting process,” he stated.
The PEARL Framework, which spans 2026 to 2035, outlines an estimated US$8.6 billion investment portfolio covering all 15 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in the Upper East Region. It focuses on agriculture, infrastructure, enterprise development, mining, tourism, education, innovation and resilient livelihoods.
Mr Tanoh said the strategy differed from previous development approaches because it was designed by the people of the Upper East Region to reflect their own development priorities, while government’s role would be to provide policy support, align investments and mobilise resources.
He stressed that balanced national development required equal attention to all regions, saying no part of the country should be left behind.
The Presidential Advisor also indicated that President Mahama would promote the region’s investment-ready projects during engagements with development partners, international financial institutions and private investors.
He noted that flagship projects proposed under the framework—including the transformation of the Fumbisi Rice Valley, completion of the Tamne Irrigation Dam, establishment of an Agricultural Technology University, expansion of health infrastructure, development of drone and satellite technology, and construction of the Bolgatanga Airport—align with the government’s 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme.
Mr Tanoh urged stakeholders to strengthen the framework through constructive input to enhance its credibility before it is presented to Cabinet, Parliament and development partners for implementation.
Meanwhile, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Akamugri Donatus Atanga, used the occasion to invite investors and development partners to explore opportunities in the region, declaring that the Upper East was ready for investment, innovation and strategic partnerships under the PEARL Framework.
