Event reports
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in partnership with the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Ghana, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ghana Netherlands Business and Culture Council organized the forum. In his welcome address, the Resident Representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Mr. Burkhardt Helleman thanked all present especially Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta, for coming to this important meeting for the business community and reiterated the reasons of the forum: a better understanding of the economic aims, needs of government and its benefits to private businesses.
The German charge de mission, Helge Sander, mentioned that the good relationship that exists between Ghana and Germany are as a result of past activities and events in Africa such as the business forum. He hailed the direct and open discussion between the Ghanaian government and foreign companies which in effect have contributed to development in West Africa.
Furthermore, the French ambassador Mr. François Pujolas congratulated the Minister on his leadership style: the positive projects put in place to strengthen the Ghanaian economy and make it attractive. He urged foreign companies to focus on the investment sector. He said there has been a growing interest in investment in Ghana in the areas of infrastructure after the visit of President Macron to Ghana.
The Dutch Ambassador Mr. Ronald Strikker spoke about the encouraging economic growth and performance of the first year of the government; collection of public revenues is getting better and there is gradual reduction of unemployment. More importantly the improvement of business investment, fighting corruption and better education gives a picture of better future. He further said that it is important to point out the success story of the Ghanaian economy, and said the government is on track to offer a long-term investment pattern to create wealth; to create more jobs and to have a better-leaving society.
In his response, the Hon. Minister, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta said the main priority of the government is the continuous fighting of corruption and promotion of transparency in the government. He urged the investors to break new grounds like a credit system which would encourage investments into imports or infrastructure projects, but the main subject of the discussion focuses on local ownership and the investment threshold of 200.000$, that may be a sharp difficulty for the SME. He assured the participants that his ministry will work with the ideas and opinions that have been exchanged at the forum.