The Ho Sports Stadium, venue for the seventh Volta Trade and Investment Fair (VTIF), is still undergoing upgrades, causing delays in preparations for the event scheduled to have started Wednesday, November 26 to December 8.
The Ghana News Agency’s (GNA) visit to the stadium revealed that considerable work had been done on the stadium, which included improvement of the stadium’s drainage system, provision of new toilet facilities, clearing of weeds and overgrowth around the facility, comprehensive painting and leveling of the stadium compound.
Also, GNA observed contractors racing against time to add some finishing touches to give a facelift to the stadium, which would also be hosting this year’s national Farmers’ Day Celebration on Friday December 5.
As a result, the mounting of exhibitors’ stands and the entire set-up were delayed, though workers worked tirelessly to finish fixing the tents for the stands to be allocated to the exhibitors.
Thus, the fair, on the theme: “Volta Rising: Building Global Partnerships for a Thriving 24-Hour Economy,” was expected fully start the next day, Thursday, November 27.
The VTIF, which has become a flagship public-private partnership platform between the Association of Ghana Industries and the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, aimed at promoting economic development, local empowerment, and international partnerships in the Volta Region, would feature exhibitors from Ghana and other countries, showcasing products and services in various sectors.
Some of the exhibitors, who spoke to GNA, expressed mixed feelings about the fair from its organisation, the venue, to the delay in the start of the event, with some saying they were satisfied with the publicity on the 2025 edition, while others complained that the delay might impact their sales negatively.
Others also suggested that the Jubilee Park, in Ho would have been an ideal venue for the fair as it offered a bigger space for both exhibitors and patrons, with others calling for an extension in the number of days for the fair to cover for the time lost.
Dr Abraham Gaitu, Chief Executive Officer of Salaria Eyemed and an exhibitor at the fair, said unlike other exhibitors, who waited to get their allocation, he managed to get a space that commiserated with what he paid for, expressing his high hopes regarding his participation in the fair.
Madam Veronica Agudogo, a dealer in fashion accessories and an exhibitor, said, “I don’t subscribe to the Jubilee Park venue. That location is a little bit remote from town and will mean losing workers who can only come out in the evenings to do business with us. I only want them to finish with the set-up early. We’re ready to display our wares.”
But organisers of the fair believed the delay would not affect the exhibitors in any way, saying, the fair would run on a 24-hour cycle on designated days, making it Ghana’s first-ever continuous trade exhibition experience.
That, Mr Fred Avornyo, Chief Executive Officer, VTIF said would mean, “more time to engage with people, more time to exhibit and more hours for business.”
Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister who was at the stadium with his team said “no one will regret joining the VTIF” as participants stood the chance of benefitting from round-the-clock networking opportunities, business forums, and entertainment events, making the most of the region’s vibrant culture and energy.
GNA
