The Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, the German Government, and development partners, has officially launched the Private Sector and Innovation Promotion (PSInno) Project at the Dungu Campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale on Tuesday, 2 June, 2026.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John, the Acting Chief Director of the NRCC, Mr. Sumaila Ewuntomah Abudu, described the launch as a significant milestone in Ghanaβs efforts to strengthen private sector development, entrepreneurship, and innovation, particularly in northern Ghana.
Addressing dignitaries including the German Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Frederik LandshΓΆft, representatives of the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, development partners, academia, and private sector actors, Mr. Abudu warmly welcomed participants to Tamale and expressed appreciation for their commitment to advancing economic transformation in the northern part of the country.
He noted that the choice of Tamale as the venue for the launch was symbolic and strategic, emphasizing that northern Ghana remains central to the country’s broader development agenda. According to him, the region possesses immense potential and must not be viewed merely as a destination for development interventions but as a hub for generating sustainable solutions, innovation, and economic opportunities.
Mr. Abudu highlighted the longstanding partnership between Ghana and Germany, describing Germany as one of Ghanaβs most trusted development partners for over five decades. He acknowledged the significant contributions of the German Government to the socio-economic development of northern Ghana, citing landmark interventions such as the establishment of the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) and continued support in areas including private sector development, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), governance, human rights, peace and security, and the digital economy.
He stated that Germanyβs substantial investment in the PSInno Project demonstrates confidence in the economic prospects of northern Ghana and reflects a strong belief in the regionβs capacity to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth.
On behalf of the people of the Northern Region, Mr. Abudu expressed profound gratitude to the German Government, the European Union, and implementing partners for their unwavering support and commitment to improving livelihoods and fostering economic resilience across the five northern regions.
The Acting Chief Director commended the design of the PSInno Project, noting that its focus on women-led and youth-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) aligns with the development needs of the region. He observed that despite numerous challenges, including limited access to finance, technology, skills development, and markets, women and young entrepreneurs in northern Ghana continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience, creativity, and determination.
According to him, the project’s emphasis on agribusiness and the digital economy is particularly relevant given the strategic importance of these sectors to the future of the region. He explained that agriculture remains the backbone of the northern economy and offers enormous opportunities for value addition, industrialization, and employment generation. At the same time, he said, the rapidly evolving digital economy presents new opportunities for innovation, competitiveness, and inclusive growth, especially among the youth.
Mr. Abudu expressed optimism about the project’s ambitious targets, which include improving the competitiveness of more than 1,100 businesses, promoting innovation among SMEs, and creating thousands of jobs across the country, many of which are expected to benefit northern Ghana.
He described the initiative as a timely intervention that has the potential to unlock the productive capacities of local entrepreneurs and contribute significantly to economic transformation and poverty reduction.
While celebrating the launch, Mr. Abudu stressed that the success of the PSInno Project would depend largely on collective ownership, collaboration, and active stakeholder participation. He therefore called on private sector operators to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the project to expand their businesses, improve productivity, and embrace innovation.
He also urged academic and research institutions, particularly the University for Development Studies, to play a leading role in supporting knowledge creation, skills development, research, and innovation to ensure the project’s long-term success.
Furthermore, he appealed to financial institutions to develop innovative and accessible financing mechanisms that would enable SMEs to grow and become more competitive. He equally called on government institutions at both regional and national levels to create an enabling policy and regulatory environment that supports entrepreneurship and private sector growth.
Mr. Abudu emphasized that while the PSInno Project opens new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs, its impact can only be fully realized through effective partnerships, coordination, and a shared commitment among all stakeholders.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Northern Regional Coordinating Council to strengthening coordination among development partners and ensuring that interventions implemented within the region deliver measurable, sustainable, and people-centered outcomes.
He encouraged all stakeholders to work together to transform the project’s objectives into tangible results that will create jobs, strengthen enterprises, improve livelihoods, and stimulate inclusive economic growth across northern Ghana.
The Acting Chief Director concluded by expressing appreciation to the German Government, GIZ, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, and all partners for making the initiative possible. He expressed confidence that the launch of the PSInno Project marks the beginning of a new era of private sector growth, innovation, and economic empowerment for northern Ghana.
The PSInno Project is expected to serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurship development, innovation promotion, and sustainable job creation, contributing significantly to Ghanaβs broader agenda of economic transformation and inclusive development.