The Volta Regional Coordinating Council has entered into a partnership with Shenzhen, China, aimed at fostering sustainable investment, green technology transfer, and deeper economic cooperation.
The agreement was sealed at a high-profile ceremony in Ho, attended by government officials, business leaders, and international partners.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Volta Regional Coordinating Council and Shenzhen’s Belt and Road Environmental Technology Exchange and Transfer Centre, in the presence of the Shenzhen Ecological Environment Bureau, the Ghana GD-HK-MO Greater Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, and enterprise representatives from leading Chinese technology firms.
A Defining Moment for Volta
In his remarks, Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, Volta’s Representative to the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), described the occasion as “a defining moment” for the region.
“This MoU is not just about formal cooperation it is about opening a new chapter for our people, our businesses, and our future,” he stated,
He stressed that the agreement is a product of deliberate initiatives launched through the Volta Economic Embassy and Volta Economic Forum to attract real investment into the region.
Dr. Apetorgbor emphasised that the Volta Region, blessed with fertile lands, natural resources, and industrious people, has for too long not fully translated its potential into prosperity.
“Volta cannot afford to miss it again,” he said, assuring partners from Shenzhen of the region’s readiness to embrace investment and demonstrate credibility as a hub for progress.
Shenzhen’s Global Leadership in Innovation
Shenzhen, a city globally recognized for its rapid transformation from a small border town to a leading innovation hub, was represented by senior officials including Zhang Yali, Party Member and Deputy Director of the Ecological Environment Bureau, and Hao Mingtu, Director of the Belt and Road Environmental Technology Exchange and Transfer Center.
Shenzhen’s achievements ranging from world-class technology companies like Huawei, Tencent, and DJI, to its status as China’s number one new energy vehicle city were highlighted as models of technological advancement and sustainable development.
The city has pioneered green initiatives such as the electrification of its entire bus and taxi fleet and the construction of over 1,000 ultra-fast charging stations.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Hao Mingtu emphasised that Shenzhen’s ecological and technological experience could provide a strong foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation with the Volta Region, particularly in renewable energy, digital transformation, and sustainable urban development.
Volta Region: Open for Business
Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, reinforced the government’s commitment to leveraging the partnership for inclusive growth.
He stressed that the MoU aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17, which emphasises global partnerships as a key driver for achieving sustainable development.
He outlined three key pillars of his agenda for the region:
Ensuring peace and stability to position Volta as a safe haven for investors.
Promoting sustainable investment and technology transfer to accelerate economic growth.
Collaborating with ministries, development partners, and foreign agencies to realise President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for rapid development in the Volta Region.
“Our municipal and district assemblies are doing their part, but government alone cannot achieve this. We need partnerships like these for knowledge transfer, capacity building, and market access,” Mr. Gunu said.
Areas of Cooperation
The MoU outlines several areas of cooperation, including:
Information sharing and exchange of investment intelligence.
Joint participation in trade forums, exhibitions, and international promotion activities.
Business missions and delegations between Ghana and China to explore market opportunities.
Implementation of joint projects to drive economic growth and job creation.
Looking Ahead
The ceremony brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from Chinese enterprises such as iEG (Suzhou) Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. and Energon (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd., as well as officials from the Volta Regional Coordinating Council.
With this partnership, the Volta Region positions itself not only as Ghana’s tourism gem but also as a rising hub for green innovation, agriculture, and technology-driven growth.
Dr. Apetorgbor captured the spirit of the day when he declared:
“The message is simple and strong: Volta is open for business.”
