Yoofi Grant- CEO, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Premier David Makura- The Premier of Gauteng Provincial Government and Her Excellency Lulama Xingwana- South African High Commissioner to Ghana
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Yoofi Grant, has encouraged investors, particularly those in Gauteng, South Africa, to invest in Ghana.
He said Ghana is currently positioning itself to become the business infrastructure and tourism hub in West Africa, indicating that the two countries have things to learn from each other.
“Ghana will position and turn things around to make it more attractive to investors for mutual benefit,” he added.
Mr. Grant, however, indicated that although there are a lot of investment ventures in Africa, partnerships for investment between African countries account for only 12 percent.
“If Africa is to exploit its position to become a major player, it needs to trade with each other to about 80 percent,” he added.
He expressed the readiness of the country to partner other African investors for business and development ventures.
Mr. Grant disclosed this while speaking at the Ghana–South Africa Business to Business Seminar in Accra themed, ‘Investment and business partnerships, the vehicle for intra-Africa integration and impactful economic development.”
The seminar held in collaboration with the South African High Commission in Ghana and the Gauteng Provincial brought investors from both countries together to explore trade and development opportunities.
South Africa’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Lulu Xingwana, who led the delegation of senior government officials and investors, in her address, said the seminar was to enhance the bilateral relations between South Africa and Ghana.
She said the collaboration is also to consolidate the political and economic relationship between the two countries while strengthening trade ties as directed by the African Union (AU).
“The areas of investment we are looking at include road, infrastructure, agriculture, agro processing, rail, manufacturing, automobiles and port infrastructure,” she said.
The Premier of Gauteng Provincial Government, David Makhura, on his part, called for the reintegration of Africa in terms of investment and trade.
He said African countries can take advantage of the opportunities to create businesses for the youth, who are eager to put their energies to good use, while developing the continent through its rich mineral resources.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri & Abigail Owiredu-Boateng