Robert Jackson in a handshake with Mr Rockson Bukari
United States (US) Ambassador to Ghana, Robert Jackson, has reiterated his government’s commitment to encouraging more US companies to invest in Ghana to increase trade between the two countries.
Over the past 20 years, he said US companies have invested a total of over $10 billion in important sectors of Ghana’s economy.
According to Mr Jackson, the United States was committed to supporting Ghana’s economic growth and efforts at becoming a preferred trading and investment destination in Africa.
The Ambassador said that more investments should be made in the textiles and garment industry.
Mr Jackson disclosed this while interacting with some journalists in Bolgatanga as part of a working tour of the Upper East Region.
For some time now, he said trade between Ghana and the US has declined just as US investments and financial support.
Ghana has not taken advantage of the reviewed trading conditions under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), he added.
Mr Jackson said Ghana’s earnings from the export of textiles and garments to the US could hit a total of $30 million by the end of this year due to increasing demand.
The envoy said his country would hold discussions with the Ministry of Trade and Industry to identify and develop some other agro-produce to export to the U.S market, aside orange juice.
He also paid a courtesy call on the Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Ayine Bukari in his office where he announced that the US will invest about $60 million over a period of three years to boost Ghana’s energy sector, especially in the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo)’s operational areas.
Mr Bukari commended the US government for its support to the region over the years, especially in the areas of education and health.
He called for more support to implement the various policies of government in the Upper East Region, especially the “Planting for Food and Jobs,’ One District, One Factory and “One Village, One Dam to accelerate the region’s development.
From Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Bolgatanga