By Nelson Ayivor
The 7th Volta Trade & Investment Fair has broken new ground as Ghana’s first-ever 24-hour trade event, drawing hundreds of eager patrons since its launch on November 26.
Running through to December 8, the fair aims to turbocharge regional economies by showcasing innovation, technology, and talent around the clock.
Fred Avornyo, CEO of the fair, emphasises the event’s strategic focus on sectors that can unlock Volta’s vast potential.
A standout is the Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture forum, tapping cutting-edge tech to enhance food production through yield prediction and smarter farming techniques.
The hybrid format with online broadcasts aims to democratise access and knowledge sharing.
The region’s rich sports heritage also takes centre stage with a Sports Development Summit on December 2, hosted by the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), a premier academic hub.
The summit will chart ways to hone sports talent and position athletes on national and international platforms turning local prowess into exportable assets.
Women’s empowerment advances with a dedicated summit on December 3, while December 4 presents the critical Water Investment Summit, spotlighting infrastructure and sustainability challenges.
National Farmers’ Day celebrations on December 5 will amplify agriculture’s crucial role in regional livelihoods.
Youth-led innovation is front and centre on December 6 with the Young Entrepreneurs’ Forum, seeking to ignite job creation and enterprise development.
This feeds naturally into the Creative Industry session on December 7, where seasoned professionals share insights to nurture new artistic talent and commercial success.
Avornyo highlights the 24-hour run as a deliberate move to maximise business engagement, giving exhibitors and visitors ample time to forge connections.
“Our packed programme will keep the fair buzzing non-stop, creating opportunities and showcasing Volta’s economic dynamism,” he said.
As Ghana’s regional fairs go, the Volta model sets a high bar—turning an investment showcase into a multi-day, round-the-clock economic incubator poised to transform the region’s future.