North East Region set for economic expansion
President John Dramani Mahama has outlined a set of economically focused interventions in the North East Region, aimed at improving infrastructure, boosting agricultural productivity, and expanding job opportunities.
The announcements were made during his ‘Thank You Tour’ of the region.
A centerpiece of the plan is the construction of a modern rice mill in Jagdima, Mamprugu District, with technical and financial support from the World Food Programme. The facility is expected to process over 30,000 metric tons of locally grown rice annually and create more than 2,000 jobs. Priority will be given to engaging women and youth in the value chain.
To ensure sustainability, the National Buffer Stock Company has been directed to purchase the entire rice output from the mill for distribution to secondary schools under the national school feeding program. This move is expected to reduce Ghana’s rice import dependency while enhancing local farmer incomes and strengthening food security.
On infrastructure, President Mahama emphasized road development as a critical enabler for economic growth, promising that quality road construction in the North East Region will receive urgent attention.
He also announced that the Nalerigu College of Nursing and Midwifery will be upgraded into a degree-awarding institution, aiming to expand Ghana’s skilled healthcare workforce and improve access to quality education in underserved areas.
Additionally, nursing trainee allowances that had been delayed will be fully paid, with automatic monthly disbursements beginning next month—a move likely to inject liquidity into the local economy.
The suite of initiatives signals a strategic focus on regional development through practical investments in infrastructure, agribusiness, and human capital, all designed to unlock the North East Region’s economic potential.
