Chief Executive Officer of BC Bencyn Group, Benjamin Anyanah, has challenged the long-standing description of the Upper East Region as “deprived”, arguing that the region has significant natural resources and human capital that remain largely untapped.
He says the region’s development conversation must shift from its challenges and gaps to how its resources can be harnessed to create jobs, businesses and improve livelihoods.
Mr Anyanah says the Upper East has agricultural resources, rivers, rocks and other natural assets that could support economic development if properly explored and developed.
Speaking on the region’s development prospects, he said the ability to turn these resources into economic opportunities would depend largely on the skills, creativity and mindset of the people.
He has therefore called for reforms in Ghana’s education system, arguing that too much emphasis is placed on theoretical learning at the expense of practical skills, innovation and problem-solving.
“We need to look at our educational system. We are teaching people theories, but we are not necessarily teaching them how to solve problems with what is available around them,” he said.
Mr Anyanah cited traditional crafts, music, farming practices and other forms of production developed by previous generations as evidence that communities can create value from local resources even with limited formal education.
He believes greater investment in technical and vocational education could equip young people with practical skills to develop local resources, create businesses and generate employment.
He urged stakeholders in the region to rethink the narrative of deprivation and instead identify opportunities within communities and develop them.
According to him, meaningful development will require a shift from repeatedly discussing the region’s challenges to taking practical steps to turn its natural and human resources into economic opportunities.
Source: Bolgafmonline.com| 102.7 MHz| Moses Anaba| Bolgatanga
