A prominent project management and construction expert, Mr. Wisdom Kwabla Attakpah has called for a comprehensive, data-driven reform of Ghana’s rural industrialization strategy. Speaking on the Business Breakfast on Zed 101.9FM, Mr. Attakpah emphasized that bridging the long-standing gap between rural raw material production and urban industrial processing requires robust feasibility studies, deliberate policy action, and deeper stakeholder collaboration to ensure sustainable value chains.
Mr. Attakpah, who serves as the CEO of AWAK Company Limited, highlighted a significant structural imbalance within Ghana’s national economy. While rural communities serve as the primary backbone for resource extraction and raw material production, the vast majority of factories and processing plants remain concentrated in major urban centers.
He said “This structural imbalance can only be corrected through deliberate government intervention, improved infrastructure, and policy-backed incentives that make rural industrial investment viable.”
He noted that this disconnect creates fragile supply chains and stifles local economic growth, asserting that such an imbalance can only be corrected through deliberate government intervention, improved infrastructure, and policy-backed incentives that make rural industrial investment truly viable.
The expert identified several critical pillars necessary for meaningful rural transformation, placing a heavy emphasis on physical foundations. He stressed that improved road networks, a reliable power supply, and affordable energy are fundamental prerequisites for any rural economy to thrive.
Beyond basic infrastructure, Mr. Attakpah advocated for the implementation of differential pricing frameworks and targeted incentives specifically for businesses operating in remote regions like the Oti Region. Such measures are essential to offset the high transportation and logistical costs associated with being distant from major industrial hubs like Accra, thereby encouraging more decentralized industrial growth across the country.
To illustrate the risks of poor planning, Mr. Attakpah referenced the Cape Coast Sugar Factory as a cautionary example. He expressed concern over the recurring raw material shortages the facility has faced despite being situated near a strong local farming base.
He attributed these challenges to inadequate farmer support systems, limited access to essential agrochemicals, and weak coordination within the supply chain. In his view, industrial sustainability cannot exist without a highly structured and supported agricultural backing.
To address these systemic gaps, Mr. Attakpah proposed a forward-looking approach involving the integration of Artificial Intelligence and digital monitoring tools within Ghana’s agricultural sector. He explained that modern technologies can revolutionize the industry by allowing farmers and aggregators to monitor crop cycles and yields in real time while tracking input distribution and payments with full transparency. Furthermore, these digital tools enable the accurate forecasting of supply volumes, which allows production to be perfectly aligned with industrial processing demands.
This digital transformation would enhance overall accountability, improve productivity, and reduce the supply inconsistencies that frequently undermine rural-based industrial projects.
Concluding his remarks, Mr. Attakpah stressed that rural industrialization must not be treated as a natural extension of urban growth but rather as a deliberate national policy priority. He argued that Ghana must intentionally invest in its rural resource base to build a resilient, inclusive, and geographically balanced economy.
By aligning infrastructure, financial incentives, and digital innovation, the nation can ensure that its industrial future is both sustainable and equitable for all regions.