The Board Chair of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Mr. Akwasi Opong-Fosu, has commended the people of Awudome, particularly the residents of Awoshie, for their remarkable strides in community development while maintaining their strong cultural heritage.

He made the remarks as the special guest of honour at the Grand Durbar of the 2025 Awudome Yam Festival (AWOFEST), held under the theme “Developing Through Collaborative Partnership.”

Mr. Opong-Fosu praised the Paramount Chief and President of the Awudome Traditional Council, Togbega Addae Kwasi Djanie XIII, for his visionary leadership and his success in harmonising traditional values with modern governance principles.

He said the unity, hospitality, and progress of the Awudome people were reflections of their chief’s commitment to inclusive leadership.

“This festival reflects not only the beauty of your traditions but also your alignment with Ghana’s national aspirations for transformation and sustainable development,” he noted.

He highlighted that the festival’s theme resonates strongly with the government’s current developmental agenda, particularly President Mahama’s 24-hour Economy Policy and the Big PUSH Initiative, both of which seek to promote innovation, productivity, and infrastructure growth across the country.

Mr. Opong-Fosu further applauded the Awudome Traditional Council for being “pace setters” in local development through unity, self-reliance, and partnerships.

“You are not waiting for development to come from outside; you are driving it yourselves — and that is exactly the spirit GIPC seeks to nurture across Ghana,” he said.

As part of his address, the GIPC Board Chair announced the launch of a new Investment Opportunities Mapping Project, a nationwide initiative aimed at identifying and showcasing investment potentials in every region and district.

The project, he explained, is designed to decentralise investment promotion and ensure equitable economic growth across the country.

“The project will connect investors — both local and international — with viable opportunities in agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, culture, and technology,” he revealed.

“Our goal is to stimulate local economies, create jobs for our youth, and bridge the urban-rural development gap.”

Mr. Opong-Fosu emphasised that the success of the Mapping Project will depend on close collaboration between traditional leaders, local governments, and the private sector, ensuring that opportunities identified are not only documented but fully realised.

“Ghana’s true potential lies in its people and communities,” he stated. “By working together, we can transform local potential into national prosperity.”

He encouraged the people of Awudome and Awoshie to take advantage of the visibility and networking opportunities provided by AWOFEST to attract investment and strengthen partnerships that drive sustainable development.

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Opong-Fosu expressed optimism about the future of the Awudome Traditional Area, stressing that investment should not only focus on infrastructure but also on human capital, creativity, and cultural values.

“Let us invest in people as much as in projects,” he said.

“Through unity, collaboration, and innovation, we can build a Ghana where every community contributes meaningfully to national progress.”