Vice President Dr Bawumia, Alan Kyerematen, Papa Owusu Ankomah, Prof Gyan Baffuor and Joe Ghartey in a meeting with Ms Harriet Baldwin and other UK government officials.
The United Kingdom (UK)’s Minister of State for Africa, Harriet Baldwin, has affirmed her country’s commitment to increasing investment in Ghana to ensure greater economic harmonization between the two countries.
Recounting the economic gains and strides made to formalize and improve the Ghanaian economy in the last few years, Harriet Baldwin, together with some government officials and business leaders in the UK, pledged to bring new investments and increase existing UK investments in Ghana.
Minister Harriet Baldwin made the call at the second UK-Ghana Business Council (UKGBC) meetings held at the Lancaster House in London yesterday.
The first meeting of the UKGBC was held in Ghana on 14th October, 2018.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia led the government of Ghana’s delegation to the meeting.
Yesterday’s meeting explored new strategies and opportunities to enhance trade and investment between the two countries in several areas, including agro-processing, extractives, garments/textiles, pharmaceuticals, financial sector, fintech, and cyber security.
UKGBC has been tasked to explore technical assistance on standards and customs facilitation and work to identify and breakdown constraints to greater trade and investment.
The UK government intends to bring substantial investments to help complete existing projects and undertake new ones such as the Kumasi Central Market Phase 2, Phase 2 of the Kumasi international airport, the 720-bed capacity maternity block at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Vester, Blues Skies, Curist pharmaceuticals, Amandi power projects, the extractive sector, Volta lake water transport projects and many others.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on his part, lauded the UK government’s commitment to increasing economic cooperation between Ghana and the UK and pledged the support of the government of Ghana.
“We are very happy with the UK government’s positive assessment of the progress so far made in Ghana in the last few years and her resolve to increase investments in Ghana, and we are prepared to partner with you,” Vice President Bawumia observed.
Dr. Bawumia continued “For us, as we prepare to position Ghana as the financial services hub in West Africa, increasing our strategic alliance with the UK is indispensable since London is the largest financial services center globally.”
“We will continue to be prudent in the management of our economy, ensure inclusive economic development and provide the right environment for businesses, both local and foreign to thrive,” he indicated.
Officials present at the meeting included Alan Kyerematen, Minister for Trade; Prof. George Gyan Baffour, Minister for Planning; Yofi Grant (CEO), Ghana Investment Promotion Center) and Papa Owusu Ankomah, Ghana’s High Commissioner to UK.
Adam Afriyie, UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy; Rachel Turner, Director for Economic Development & Europe (DFID); Ian Walker, UK High Commissioner to Ghana were also present.