This, he mentioned, will help farmers preserve and process their produce, adding value and reducing post-harvest losses.

Speaking during his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Com­mittee, Mr Gunu emphasised that the initiative aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of a 24-hour economy, where busi­nesses operate around the clock to drive economic growth.

“This will not only create more employment opportunities but also boost tomato production and improve livelihoods,” he noted.

Mr Gunu also revealed plans to collaborate with district assemblies and Members of Parliament to link farmers to investors and ensure the success of the processing facilities.

“We will work closely with the assemblies and MPs to provide the necessary support for farmers, enabling them to benefit fully from this initiative,” he stated.

The nominee also touched on the tourism potential of the Volta Region, promising to work with the Ministers of Tourism, Roads, and the Regional Coordinating Council to enhance accessibility to tourist sites.

“The Volta Region has immense tourism potential, and I will focus on making these sites easily acces­sible to boost tourism and attract more visitors to the region,” he pledged.

On security, Mr Gunu assured the committee that he would prioritise peace and stability in the region by implementing early warning systems to address security threats.

He also expressed concern over the issue of tidal waves that have caused destruction along the coast­al areas of the region.

Mr Gunu promised to tackle this challenge by working with relevant stakeholders to protect communi­ties from further harm.

Additionally, the Minister-desig­nate also underscored the impor­tance of strengthening the capacity of district assemblies in planning, budgeting, and revenue collection.

He indicated that many assem­blies lacked the capacity to effec­tively collect revenue, which is why some privatised it.

“I would encourage them to establish revenue registers and tax institutions appropriately to boost local development,” he explained.

Mr Gunu also highlighted the need to address the region’s poor road network, describing it as a personal passion “I am passionate about road infrastructure. We will tackle the road network challenges in the region to ensure farmers and traders have better access to mar­kets and services,” he assured.

Moreover, the nominee pledged to engage all Members of Parlia­ment and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to align efforts toward development.

Through collaboration and coordination, he stated, they could chart a unified course to bring development to the people of the Volta Region.

He reiterated his belief in the potential of a 24-hour economy to alleviate poverty and improve livelihoods