Tony Burkson
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC), Tony Burkson, has disclosed that Ghana has once again become an exciting investment destination as a result of the strong fiscal discipline and macroeconomic prudence of government.
“I can confidently say that interest in doing business in Ghana from UK companies has shot up over last few months,” Mr Burkson said at the maiden edition of the ‘Business Excellence Awards and Dinner Gala’ held recently in Accra.
He therefore appealed to government to further initiate predictable and fair policies to boost investment.
“What we ask from the government is predictable and fair policies. Investment decisions are made with long-term view and constant changes in the policy outlook can affect investment decisions in the short term,” he said.
He continued: “Asking small SMEs and other medium-sized companies looking to invest in Ghana to demonstrate $500,000 worth of capital available seems to be an overkill in my opinion.”
Mr Burkson also expressed optimism in the new GIPC bill to help in the rectification of the anomaly.
According to him, UKGCC, in the next few years, is expected to be the major driver of trade and investment activities between Ghana and the United Kingdom.
“We intend to work closely with Yofi Grant and the GIPC to promote Ghana as an investment destination for British FDI and Technical expertise. Expect to see UK participation in railways, infrastructure, healthcare & technology,” he said.
Unilever Ghana emerged as Employer of the Year at the event attended by the Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta, Deputy Minister of Trade Carlos Ahinkra, Chief Director of Business Development Joe Tackie and British High Commissioner to Ghana, Iain Walker, among others.
Kasapreko was adjudged Exporter of the Year; Boomers won the SME of the Year Award, while Vivo Energy earned the CSR Project of the Year Award.
McDan Shipping was named Logistics Company of the Year and Barclays Bank won the Financial Institution of the Year Award.