The Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central and Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Isaac Adongo, has proposed the inclusion of eight strategic pillars in the Upper East Region’s 10-year development blueprint, describing them as critical to unlocking the region’s full economic potential.
The proposals are aimed at strengthening the Prosperity through Enterprise, Agriculture, Resilience and Livelihoods (PEARL) Framework (2026–2035), an ambitious initiative seeking to mobilise approximately GH¢8.6 billion in public and private sector investment to transform the Upper East Region’s economy over the next decade.
In a statement addressed to members of the PEARL Framework Technical Working Committee, Mr. Adongo commended the committee for its commitment to developing a blueprint for inclusive and sustainable growth.
He said the technical expertise and collaborative efforts of the committee would be instrumental in delivering long-term development for the people of the region.
The Bolgatanga Central legislator proposed that the framework prioritise the development of sustainable and resilient communities capable of withstanding climate-related disasters such as flooding through investments in climate-smart infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and community resilience programmes.
Recognising the region’s strategic location, Mr. Adongo also advocated the development of trade, border economy, and logistics infrastructure to position the Upper East Region as a commercial hub serving neighbouring Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Togo.
He explained that strengthening cross-border trade, supported by a modern logistics and transportation hub, would unlock new markets, stimulate industrial growth, and deepen regional economic integration.
The MP further urged the committee to mainstream gender equality, disability inclusion, and social protection within the development framework to ensure equitable access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for women, youth, and vulnerable groups.
He also called for greater investment in renewable energy by harnessing the region’s abundant solar resources to power industries and improve access to clean and sustainable energy.
According to him, peace and stability must remain a central pillar of the framework, stressing that sustainable development and investment can only thrive in an environment of security, effective local governance, and proactive conflict prevention.
Mr. Adongo further proposed business-oriented solutions to tackle rural poverty through microfinance, agribusiness incubation, and digital entrepreneurship to create sustainable livelihoods and strengthen economic resilience across rural communities.
He also identified arts, crafts, and tourism as untapped economic opportunities capable of generating employment while preserving the region’s cultural heritage.
He called for deliberate investments to promote traditional crafts, festivals, historical sites, and the smock industry, alongside efforts to expand international market access for locally woven products.
The final proposal focused on innovative digital crowdfunding, which he said could mobilise financial resources from citizens at home and abroad to support community development projects and increase diaspora participation in the region’s transformation agenda.
Mr. Adongo expressed confidence that incorporating the eight pillars into the PEARL Framework would translate the development blueprint into practical actions with measurable outcomes and inclusive participation.
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Technical Working Committee in advancing what he described as a transformational agenda capable of delivering sustainable economic growth and improved livelihoods for the people of the Upper East Region.
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