Make Ghana Africa’s most business-friendly economy – UK Envoy
6th January 2017
President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo and his government must work to demonstrate their commitment to make Ghana the “most business-friendly economy in Africa”, Adam Afriyie, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ghana has urged.
Mr Afriyie, who is the Conservative Party’s Member of Parliament (MP) for Windsor in the UK, is keen to forge stronger ties between the two nations.
In an article ahead of his visit to Ghana for the investiture of Mr Akufo-Addo, Mr Afriyie said: “I am honoured to represent the Government of the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland at the inauguration of President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo tomorrow (January 7, 2017).”
He emphasised that for UK companies to succeed in Ghana, the domestic private sector needs to be strong, vibrant, and dynamic.
“Businesses bring vital investment, create jobs, and contribute to an increasing tax base, with which the government of Ghana can better deliver essential public services,” he said.
Mr Afriyie further indicated that making progress on trade liberalisation and creating and enabling a predictable environment for both Ghanaian and international companies to flourish are key to increasing Ghana's competitiveness, potential for growth, and employment creation capabilities.
“I am, therefore, excited by the incoming administration’s early commitments in these areas based on earlier manifesto commitments,” he added.
As part of his five-day visit to Ghana, Mr Afriyie is expected to meet members of the incoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) government and also meet “members of the newly founded UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC), leading businesses in Ghana, and infrastructure experts to discuss how the UK can support Ghana to achieve its infrastructure development goals”.
He will chair discussions focused on a deeper partnership which centres on “UK expertise and Ghanaian capability”.
Ghana is currently the UK’s fourth largest export market in sub-Saharan Africa with bilateral trade of goods and services totalling £1.082 billion in 2015.
Source: Ghana/ClassFMonline.com