Accra: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has urged private sector investors to capitalize on investment opportunities in Peace Building Fund (PBF) project communities to drive development and create employment. The initiative aims to engage community members productively, reducing the likelihood of conflicts arising from idleness.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Melody Azinim, the Peace Analyst for UNDP Ghana, addressed this call during a private sector investment forum held in Wa. The forum, facilitated by the UNDP, aimed to foster partnerships to develop investment opportunities in communities benefiting from the PBF project. It was held under the theme: 'Accelerating Local Development, Leveraging Private Sector Investment and Partnership', and gathered stakeholders from public and private sectors at various levels.
Madam Azinim explained that the PBF project, a collaborative effort between the UNDP and UNFPA, focuses on mitigating conflict issues within these communities. By investing in job creation, community members can contribute to local and national development while improving their living standards. She emphasized that such investments could propel community and district development, providing opportunities for young people, women, and men, especially after the farming season.
Mr. Charles Lwanga Posting, the Upper West Regional Minister, highlighted the significant challenge of accessing finance for women and youth-led enterprises in the region. He noted that the forum was an opportunity to explore innovative solutions to this issue, empowering women and youth to establish businesses, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
In addition, Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), underscored the importance of supporting districts in Ghana to harness their comparative advantages and attract sustainable investments. He pointed out that regions like the Upper East, Upper West, and North East, which benefit from the PBF project, have rich agricultural and artisanal resources that can be leveraged for development.
Dr. Amoah acknowledged existing challenges such as limited financial services, inadequate private investment, climate vulnerabilities, and unemployment. He outlined the NDPC's efforts, in collaboration with the UNDP and the PBF project, to introduce an investment toolkit to assist districts in evaluating their investment readiness.
