NRCC, ACEYE Partner To Boost Entrepreneurship in Northern Region

The Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC), in partnership with the Africa Centre for Entrepreneurship and Youth Empowerment (ACEYE), has held a strategic dissemination meeting to review the findings of the 2026 Regional Entrepreneurship Freedom (REF) Index Report and map out measures to strengthen the region’s business ecosystem.

The engagement, held on Friday at the NRCC Conference Hall in Tamale, brought together heads of departments, policymakers, and key regional stakeholders to deliberate on actionable solutions for sustainable enterprise growth, with a focus on empowering youth and women entrepreneurs.

Addressing participants, the Acting Chief Director of the NRCC, Mr Sumaila Ewuntomah Abudu, emphasised the vital role of entrepreneurship in driving local economic development, creating employment, and fostering innovation.

He reiterated the regional administration’s commitment to utilizing evidence-based insights from the REF Index to create a highly supportive and enabling business environment across the region.

Presenting the report, Mr Emmanuel Acquah, a representative of ACEYE, highlighted the region’s vast economic potential and outlined recommendations to address operational challenges, including streamlining local tax structures and optimising utility costs to cushion emerging businesses.

Stakeholders at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to translating the report’s recommendations into practical policies, strengthening inter-agency collaboration, and unlocking new investment opportunities to position the Northern Region as a vibrant hub for private-sector growth.

Bala Ali, ISD