articulating citizens’ needs and aspirations; promoting inclusive governance and development A Special SADA Business and Investment Forum Edition Engineering Week Celebration and SADA Business & Investment Forum T he Northern belt of Ghana is poised for unprecedented growth through business and investment inflows aligned to the new national vision of accelerating the development of historically neglected communities in Ghana. The new leadership of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) with the full backing of the Presidency of Ghana and the support of all major political and traditional authorities will convene the Business and Investment Forum to promote business opportunities available in the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone (NSEZ) of Ghana. The Forum The SADA BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT FORUM 2015 is being organized as part of the ENGINEERING WEEK CELEBERATION 2015 of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE), to bring together private sector champions, business leaders, local and international investors, development partners, traditional authorities, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, local government, civil society, youth groups and citizens to dialogue, network and promote business and investment opportunities for the accelerated development of the NSEZ. Benefits The many benefits to be derived from the Forum by participants include sealed business and investments deals and direct business to business match-making and networking, while the peoples of the SADA zone will directly benefit from investments that would ultimately lead to job creation and the socio-economic development for the NSEZ. Exhibition The Forum Exhibition will also create the platform for participants to showcase their business, products and services. We invite you to be part of this ground-breaking event and benefit from the networking and match-making, knowledgesharing and exhibition. THANK YOU Page 2 Welcome to SABIF 2015 and the SADA Zone –the frontier of unexplored opportunities On behalf of the Board and management of SADA, we welcome you to SABIF 2015 as a visitor, an exhibitor, a friend, a cautious explorer, an investor to share ideas and the cultural delights of Tamale. The SADA Business and Investment Forum (SABIF 2015) is a joint endeavour with the Ghana Institution of Engineers. It is derived from the joint desire to realise the alternative narrative – to turn the investments gaps – infrastructure, agriculture, health, education etc – into investment opportunities. Thus the focus on infrastructure solutions for the transformation of the SADA zone. It is not a secret that the agriculture of the future lies in the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone (NSEZ); the renewable, sustainable and abundant energy sources of the future lies in the NSEZ; that the manufacturing potential of the future lies in the NSEZ. SABIF 2015 is the first step of demonstrating these unexplored opportunities. There are two ways one can envision the NSEZ. One way is the image of poverty, dependence, a hot, dry and harsh environment, a place far away from civilization – the landlocked, isolated “other Ghana” that no one wants to be unless compelled. This image has generated, in the best of circumstances, sympathy and empathy that belie the proliferation of often small, short-term oriented social interventions financed by aid. The “north” is the place for NGOs and that part of the development assistance envelop that doesn't address economic opportunities. Very often however, the poverty and suffering narrative leaves the “northerner” stigmatised as burdensome to the other Ghanaians whose tax revenues and resources presumably sustain them. The alternative image that can be painted of the NSEZ is one of a sleeping giant – a place of vast opportunities yet to harnessed, the frontier of new and expanded markets – the regional markets of the Savannah that stretches from the Eastern la Cote d'Ivoire to the northern borders of Nigeria, sweeping upwards along the Volta river basin involving Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali and beyond – a place connected not only by geography but also by history and culture. The NSEZ, is in this case, a part of a larger Guinea Savannah, the bridge between this vast ECOWAS market and the rest of Ghana. KEY NOTE SPEAKER Dr. Victor Koh is the Senior Leadership Consultant of the International Leadership Foundation. He is an Advisor and Council Member to the Government of Kenya's National Economic and Social Council, in the Office of the President. He has traveled, consulted, lectured and spoken in over 125 countries in the last 40 years at international seminars, conferences and conventions. He has served in numerous international Boards of both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, corporations and companies. Mr Adam Sulley, Ag. Chairman, Board of Directors When viewed with the alternative lens, the NSEZ ceases to be landlocked or isolated. It is only as landlocked as the infrastructure development permits. It takes investment in an international airport to shorten distances; better roads, bridges and the development of the water transport potentials of the shared Volta River for transport costs to shrink and markets to expand. A friendly police not prone to extracting petty bribes on our roads will make our neighbours feel welcome and reduce the cost of haulage. Similarly, the sense of isolation ceases to be simply a geographic determinant but more in our attitudes towards regional integration and our ability to imagine the unexplored vast integrated market that the Guinea Savannah region potentially offers. As I said earlier on, SABIF 2015 is the first step of demonstrating the unexplored opportunities in the NSEZ. It is the premier event, paving the way for SABIF 2016, SABIF 2017 and so on. In between SABIFs, SADA and its constituencies will explore similar gatherings focusing on specific sectors and activities – real estate, industrial parks, agricultural financing, regional trade and who knows, a SADAfest, to compliment PANAFEST, after all nowhere else suffered the scourge of the slave trade more than the Guinea Savannah. We thank our partners: the GHIE, the University of Development Studies and USAID and our expert advisors such as Dr Ken Kwaku, Kofi Tsikata and others behind the scenes working largely pro bono to make this happen and the indefatigable Mrs Clara Pinkrah-Sam, the SABIF Coordinator, pulling the many bits together. We must not forget the Board and staff of SADA, who though overstretched, shows no sign of this either in their work or in their faces. Mr Adam Sulley. Ag. Chairman, Board of Directors and Charles Abugre, Ag. Chief Executive Officer. Message from President, GHiE Board Ing. Magnus Lincoln Quarshie The Northern Ecological Zone of Ghana offers us a great opportunity to engrave another historical milestone in the development of massive, rapid and integrated infrastructure development for Ghana. It is an opportunity for us as Ghanaian engineers and business and Political leaders to DREAM BIG. We need to conceive infrastructure that last "forever" that will serve generations. The Ghana Institution of Engineers believes that the collaboration with the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority is historic and a key driver to a Dream Reality. The TAMALE2015 and SABIF2015 a flagship engineering and business and investment conference that intends to harness great ideas to transform lives and to improve the quality of life of our citizenry. Indeed I feel proudly Ghanaian and I look forward to a great conference. I would like to use this medium to invite as many Ghanaians, be they professional, business leaders, and political leaders to make a date with TAMALE2015 and SABIF2015 during the week ending March 2015. Engineering Week Celeberation 2015 He was born and educated in Singapore, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Singapore. He has three earned Master degrees, majoring in Leadership, Management and International Marketing. He received his Ph.D. degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University in USA. He specializes in Leadership, Management and Economic Development. He is a Professor of Business Administration and was a MBA Professor of Marketing Management with the State University of New York at Buffalo, New York, and taught in the American MBA degree program at the Dalian University of Technology in China, which was sponsored by the US Reagan Administration. Dr. Victor Koh is a regular speaker and facilitator in the Transforming Leadership Seminars organized by the International Leadership Foundation for government, business and educational leaders in Kenya, Burundi, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa, Benin, Nigeria and Ghana. Dr. Koh is recognized by the Prime Minister of Singapore as a member of the “Pioneer Generation” that helped to build today's Singapore. He will speak on, “THE SINGAPORE T R A N S F O R M AT I O N STORY: THE ROLE OF E N G I N E E R S I N S I N G A P O R E ' S TRANSFORMATION FROM A THIRD WORLD NATION TO FIRST IN ONE GENERATION.” Dr. Victor Koh Page 3 SABIF 2015 · Analyzing private sector proposals for sectors such as Agro-processing, Project Financing, Mining, Energy, Infrastructure development, and Tourism, all linked directly to increased agricultural productivity. Purpose The purpose of this High Level SADA Business and Investment Forum is to facilitate and promote multi-stakeholder investment policy dialogue and business match-making opportunities. Forum Modality Objective The primary objective of the forum is to contribute positively to the process of business and investment co-operation and ensure that commitments from transactions at the forum are translated into concrete actions by SADA officials and private sector participants. Charles Abugre, CEO, SADA zone with particular focus on establishing an investment-friendly environment and incentives for local and international businesses. Benefits of the Forum Participants will have information and ideas on best practices for investment and business development within the context of area development. · The forum will create a perfect setting for several high levels B2B investment deals to be brokered, initiated and probably sealed at the end of the forum. · It will provide a B2B match-making and opportunities profiling platform for investors. · It will offer participants opportunity to contribute to an Action Plan for enhancing business climate reforms across the SADA · Discussion Themes To help achieve the set objective, the key issues to be discussed include: · Analyzing and profiling trade and investment opportunities within the SADA zone · Enhancing the business climate in the SADA zone · The transformational role of agriculture for local level development The forum will consist of plenary sessions, business exhibitions by private sector players in agriculture, agro-processing, banking and finance, renewable energy, construction and tourism and B2B match-making sessions. Potential private sector participants shall be requested to indicate their preferences for companies they would want to meet one on one during the B2B match-making sessions taking into account their preferences for particular services and products. The forum will culminate into the establishment of SADA Investment Council that will carry on the task of deepening and enhancing business ties between the private sector, government institutions and traditional authorities in the SADA zone, particularly in mobilizing local investments and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) across the two regions towards the creation of shared prosperity for the people. Engineering Week Celeberation 2015 Engineering-Key Driver to Sustainable infrastructure in the Savannah Region of Ghana The forum is being organized alongside the annual Forum of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE) which is a crucial stakeholder for infrastructure development in Ghana. In line with the country's National Agenda and the Ghana Institution of Engineers' (GhIE) Strategic Plan, the GhIE’s 2015 Annual Conference focuses on Engineering as the key to both the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) and the National Strategic Infrastructure Development. Thematic Areas The Ghana Institution of Engineers believes that the opportunity to sustainably develop the Northern Savannah region holistically must be informed by a thorough understanding of the following eight thematic areas: 1. Providing sustainable transport infrastructure and operations in the Savannah Region 2. Providing sustainable water resources management and water supply to improve quality of life in the Savannah Region. 3. Promoting Effective Communication 4. Tapping the renewable energy resources and providing energy for National Development 5. Making the Savannah the food basket of our country: the role of Agricultural Engineering 6. 7. 8. Mitigating climate change issues using engineering. Sustainable Waste Management Sustainable Financing and Investment in Infrastructure in the Savannah Region Discussions Discussions will be centered on multidisciplinary issues such as human development, private-public partnership, the institutional, regulatory and monitoring frameworks for the development as well as for budgeting and sustainability. The conference looks forward to presentations of ideas, proposals, initiatives and results-oriented projects from experts in the various fields to collaborate with current and potential investors and development partners. The expected outcome of the conference is the establishment of strong beneficial partnerships between stakeholders for sustainable human development of the Northern Savannah and Ghana as a whole. Expected Outcome By the end of the forum a strong beneficial partnerships between stakeholders for sustainable human development of the Northern Savannah and Ghana as a whole would have been established. Ing. Magnus Lincoln Quarshie President of the Ghana Institution of Engineers Page 4 What was SADA created to do? VISION A transformed Northern Savannah Ecological Zone (NSEZ); a place of opportunity and free from poverty. MISSION To catalyze the transformation of the NSEZ through citizens' mobilization; strategic Planning; successful coordination, collaboration and facilitation (CCF), for effective public sector delivery and private sector investment. Spirit, Imagination and Intent of ACT 805, 2010 ACT 805, 2010 (here-after, The Act) that established SADA is an exceptional piece of legislation that was only possible because of the remarkable degree of national and cross-party consensus mobilised behind a determination to tackle the structural causes of the underdevelopment of the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone (NSEZ), in a comprehensive, integrated and longterm manner. A transformed and vibrant NSEZ will serve not only the people who live in the NSEZ but Ghanaians generally in that will boost national economic growth and provide opportunities for all Ghanaians to live, work, profit, and serve. The Act recognizes that nothing short of a structurally transformed NSEZ will be sufficient to reverse its relative underdevelopment, eliminate extreme poverty and sustain its environment. By Structural transformation is meant the need to make the economy of the NSEZ more productive, industrialised, vibrant, competitive and diversified, by harnessing its abundant resources especially agricultural potential, its strategic location as a bridge between the Sahelian Region of West Africa and the rest of Ghana, and its ecological advantages - a sun-filled, Savannah planes and the rich cultures that thrive in it. This is also what "integrated", "accelerated" and "comprehensive" imply. OBJECTIVES The Act tasks SADA to achieve three strategic objectives: 1. To provide strategic vision and planning to government, consistent with the national plan, but one which will ensure accelerated, integrated and comprehensive development of the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone, in consultation with stakeholders; 2. To mobilize human, financial and other resources for the implementation of the accelerated development strategy; 3. To co-ordinate existing and future development and related policies affecting the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone with a view to ensuring coherence in policy-making and implementation. PROGRAMMES · Agricultural Modernization · Infrastructure o o o o o Irrigation Energy Transport Water ICT · Manufacturing & Industrial Zones · Mining · Urban Modernization o o o o Housing Commercial Real Estate Sanitation Planning · Social Sector o o o o o o o · · · · Health Education Social Protection Peace Building Disaster (Risk) Management Community Development Millennium Village Projects The Services Economy The Natural Environment Investment Promotion Business Facilitation VALUES Sustainability To ensure our work is grounded on social, environmental and economic sustainability by giving prime respect to the protection and preservation of our natural environment. Professionalism To value the spirit of professionalism, having a clear sense of commitment, perspective, and direction by creating an environment that promotes participation, partnerships, teamwork, innovation and constant evaluation of our work. Integrity & Accountability To be honest, transparent, inclusive and accountable in decision-making by maintaining the highest ethical standards and utmost respect for the Law establishing SADA. Respect for Diversity & Gender To respect Gender & Diversity to ensure equal opportunity, irrespective of age, gender, class, ethnicity, disability, political affiliation or race. Impact To ensure a lasting and positive impact on the lives of our people by influencing policies, practices and beliefs that provide the greatest potential to fundamentally transform the NSEZ into a place of opportunity and promise. Trust To earn the trust and confidence of all stakeholders, through hard work and accountable governance of The Authority... Page 5 Some Life-changing SADA Assisted Project At the inception of SADA, it embarked on programmes that were meant to bring about rapid transformation of communities in its operational areas. Two of such programmes are the Millennium Village Project and the Agricultural Input Support project. Two years down the line, various degrees of successes have been achieved by both programmes, some of which are the subjects of this catalogue. Mr. Damba Wuni, primary six teacher (foreground, left) of Nabari D/A Primary School: “Teaching and learning is now more effective. This school placed third on the schools’ performance league table in the District. The Nabari Health Centre in the West Mambrusi District of the Northern Region is one of a number of health facilities, that SADA has provided to selected communities within the MVP operational area. Daniel, Maize Farmer, Finds Solace in SADA Veronica (left) and other patients awaiting their turn at the out-patients-department of the Nabari Health Centre: “This clinic is a massive relief for us in Nabari, especially we women. We used to carry pregnant women on bicycles, with agonizing pains, all the way to Walewale, about 17 kilometres away. DANIEL ATIMOANIND is a maize farmer in the Naadema, Builsa South District of the Upper East Region. He, and his group of five, received inputs from SADA to cultivate maize. “But for SADA what would I have done? I am 35 years old with 10 children and two wives. We all depended on a small farm of mixed crops that I cultivated every season. The yields were nothing to cheer about. Then SADA introduced me to maize farming. They supplied me with fertilizer, seed and a tractor with affordable ploughing services. Tractor service in this area is very expensive. “This year (2014), I did 9 acres of maize and I have started harvesting. My life has improved since SADA started helping me. I will sell some of the maize to feed and clothe my family. I will now send my children to school and make sure every member of my family is healthy. We have five farmers in my group and they are doing as well as I am” SADA has supplies 1,200 school uniforms and sandals to 20 primary schools within its Millennium Village project. Page 6 Some Life-changing SADA Assisted Project At the inception of SADA, it embarked on programmes that were meant to bring about rapid transformation of communities in its operational areas. Two of such programmes are the Millennium Village Project and the Agricultural Input Support project. Two years down the line, various degrees of successes have been achieved by both programmes, some of which are the subjects of this catalogue. Okata Farms and Food Processing in Good Business Okata Farms and Food Processing is a SADA Technical Service Provider based at Kpasa in the Nkwanta-North District of the Volta Region. Mr. JOHN KUWUDZO, CEO says: “Farmers in Kpasa used to encounter difficulties with farm inputs and services. For instance, tractor services were expensive so most farmers used hoes and cutlasses to till their lands. They also relied massively on manual labour. They could hardly afford fertilizer and seeds. Because of that, farmers were unable to do bigger hectares and their livelihoods were appalling. But the advent of SADA changed all that. SADA came along and provided inputs like affordable tractor services, fertilizer and maize and rice seeds. “The result was that we have more than doubled the size of our farms and our yields have also increased. Those who were doing one hectare now do five hectors; those who did five hectares now do 10; those who did 20 now do between 50 and 90 hectors. In all, we have 350 farmers who have cultivated 1,300 hectares of rice which we are harvesting and threshing at the same time. “Moreover, our incomes have increased tremendously and our lives have changed. Those who lived in mud huts with thatched roofs are now building cement houses and roofing them with iron sheets. Those who could not send their children to school are doing so now because they can afford to. Indeed SADA's intervention could not have come at a better time. What a joy!!” SADA has replaced the ramshackle Nabari D/A Primary School block (below) with a new one (right) to make teaching and learning more conducive for Bagging rice on Okata Farms at Kpasa in the Nkwanta-North District of the Volta Region. Page 7 SADA Regions and Districts 13 11 26 8 5 Agricultural Growth Poles 2 1 6 9 3 4 8 7 Legend 1 – Fumbisi Valley, 2 – Pwalugu Area 3 – Buipe Area 4 – Katanga Area 5 – Oti River Basin 6 – Fumsi Valley 5 7 – Kabaka Gorge 8 – Bui Development Area 9 – Nasia Valley articulating citizens’ needs and aspirations; promoting inclusive governance and development Approved prices for participating in the SADA Business and Investment Forum 2015 SADA Zone Business, individuals and District Assemblies Exhibition -GHc 350 for Booths only Conference participation and logistics per person -GHc 50 for participation in Conference Discussions only. -GHc 150 for participation in Conference Discussions INCLUSIVE OF FEEDING. No conference bag -GHc 350 for participation in Conference Discussions INCLUSIVE OF FEEDING and CONFERENCE BAG. -GHc 450 for complete –package – participation in conference discussions, conference bag, feeding and banquet National and International Business -GHc 1000 for Exhibition Booths only -GHc 450 for complete conference package including conference bag, feeding and banquet. Youth Forum -Free Participation with Snack ATTENDANCE TO EXHIBITION IS OPENED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC Published by RUMNET (Rural Media Network) P. O. Box 863, Tamale. Tel: 0372024177. EDITOR: Abdallah Kassim. Cell: 0244-218898. E-mail: rumnetghana@gmail.com/nadvocate@yahoo.com. http://www.rumnet.org. Office Location: Agric Ridge. Registered by NMC/C.1.39/03/014 at GPO as newspaper No. NSR 57/2000.
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