In a bid to entice foreign investors and facilitate economic globalization, the Ghanaian government is placing significant emphasis on the nation’s strategic position as a launchpad to the expansive African market.
This appeal for investors to view Ghana as a gateway to Africa took center stage at a business seminar hosted in Accra.
The event brought together key government officials and delegates from Denmark and Sweden to explore collaborative economic opportunities.
During the seminar, Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah highlighted Ghana’s strategic importance as a gateway to the vast African market, underlining the potential for international businesses to expand their presence throughout the continent.
Mr. Nkrumah stated, “Our focus in Ghana today is to open up the Ghanaian economy to the world so that we can build partnerships that can serve Africa and the world.” He continued, “Today, we are boasting of the continental free trade agreement secretariat, and working from a place like Ghana is only a launchpad to be able to reach the over a billion people in the African market.”
Highlighting the alignment of interests between the Danish/Swedish business delegation and Ghana, Mr. Nkrumah expressed his enthusiasm for the potential collaboration.
“I was reading this morning the profiles of some of the businesses that are here, and I was excited to note that they coincide pretty well with our areas.”
Furthermore, Mr. Nkrumah emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving any challenges faced by the Danish and Swedish businesses. “Our doors are open to help you resolve them, so it’s easier for you to do business in Ghana. Your success is our success, and our success is your success,” he said.
Her Excellency, Mrs. Sylvia Naa Adaa Annor, Ghana’s Ambassador to Denmark, addressed the delegation, underscoring the significance of their visit to Ghana. She referred to the Danish Foreign Minister’s earlier announcement in the year, which highlighted Africa as a key focus for Denmark in 2023.
Ms. Annor’s enthusiasm was palpable as she recounted how this declaration had motivated the Ghanaian Embassy in Copenhagen to enhance economic bilateral relations between the two nations, paving the way for the business delegation’s journey.
She acknowledged the crucial sectors of health, clean water technology, and agro-processing as areas ripe for investment and growth. Ms. Annor emphasized that these sectors were in alignment with the interests of the Danish and Swedish businesses in the delegation.
In her speech, Ms. Annor recognized the presence of numerous Danish companies in Ghana, including Maersk, Alumichem, Arla Foods, Grundfos, FOSS Analytics, Cimbria, and FLSmidth, operating across various sectors in the country. She also highlighted the Sweden-Ghana Cancer Medical Center, established with the support of the Swedish Government, serving not only Ghana but the entire West African sub-region.
Ms. Annor encouraged Danish and Swedish businesses to establish local partnerships and collaborate with relevant government agencies and local enterprises in Ghana. She emphasized the significance of the scheduled B2B meetings later in the day as a platform for interaction and partnership development.
Given Ghana’s role as the host of the African Continental Free Trade Area, Ms. Annor pointed out that the opportunity for Danish and Swedish businesses to leverage the competitive business environment and serve the broader African market was unparalleled. She expressed confidence that the companies in the delegation would find their place in the Ghanaian market.
The business seminar and the warm reception by Ghanaian authorities underscore the country’s commitment to attracting foreign investment and promoting economic development. As Ghana positions itself as a gateway to access the African market and achieve global success, the visit by Danish and Swedish businesses represents a significant stride in realizing these aspirations.