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October 29, 2026
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Peace key to unlocking Northern Ghana’s economic potential – NDPC chief
Money
Policy
Opportunity
Growth
Key Points
- The Director-General of the NDPC, Dr Audrey Smock Amoah, has called for sustained peace in Northern Ghana.
- She emphasized that peace is essential to leverage the region's natural and economic resources for job creation, higher incomes, and improved living conditions.
- Recurring conflicts are identified as major impediments, undermining economic activity, hindering service delivery, and exacerbating poverty.
- Dr Amoah highlighted agriculture, livestock production, and value-added activities (e.g., shea butter, groundnuts) as key growth areas, requiring investment in processing, storage, and market access.
- She stressed the interdependence of peacebuilding and economic development to address high multidimensional poverty rates (over 50% in some northern regions) and unlock the region's full potential.
Why This Matters
This article is crucial for Ghana as it addresses the persistent underdevelopment and high poverty rates in Northern Ghana, which are significantly exacerbated by recurring conflicts. Achieving sustained peace and unlocking the region's substantial economic potential is vital for national stability, equitable growth, and overall poverty reduction across the country, contributing to Ghana's long-term development goals.
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