Adam Afriyie, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade envoy to Ghana, will attend the inauguration of President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo on Saturday, January 7, 2017.
Mr. Afriyie will attend on behalf of the government of Queen Elizabeth II.
A statement issued by the British High Commission in Accra, said Mr Afriyie’s visit “will strengthen and promote the existing trade relations between the two countries, putting partnership at the centre of bilateral relations.
As well as meeting key members of the incoming administration, including the newly elected President himself.”
“Mr Afriyie will also meet members of the newly founded UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC), leading businesses in Ghana, and infrastructure experts to discuss how the UK can support Ghana to achieve some of its long-term development goals.”
Adam Afriyie’s presence at the inauguration ceremony forms part of his 5-day visit to Ghana (5th – 9th January), that will see him chair discussions to underpin a deeper partnership centered on “UK expertise and Ghanaian capability”. “The visit will help foster an even stronger relationship with the business community in Ghana. The UK is a global centre of excellence in many areas including: architecture; digital technologies and professional services such as cyber security; fintech and general consultancy services; academia; healthcare; renewable energy; oil and gas, and the mining supply chain,” the UK statement said.
According to the statement, Ghanaian businesses that partner with UK businesses will benefit greatly from the skills and technology transfer, economies of scale and access to innovative technologies which will help to create more jobs in Ghana.
It said the UK seeks to continue playing its crucial role in helping advance the economic development of Ghana as it swears into office a new President.
“British businesses see Ghana as a valuable investment base in West Africa, and many flagship UK companies are already flourishing here. But there is much more that can be done to promote the right business environment.”
“We hope that will lead to more vital investment, job creation and an expanding tax base, which can better enable the government to deliver essential public services.”
‘Ghana-UK relations’
Ghana is the UK’s fourth largest export market in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2015, two-way bilateral trade in goods and services totaled just over £1billion.
This however was a reduction by fully a third, from the peak figure of £1.5billion in 2012.
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