CCI France Ghana holds Gala night in Accra

Business News of Monday, 13 March 2017

Source: Delpine Adenot-Owusu

2017-03-13

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry France Ghana (CCIFG) in partnership with the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City held a Gala Night at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City on Thursday 9th March, 2017.

The event, hosted high profile personalities, including the Senior Minister, Honourable Yaw Osafo-Marfo, H.E. Francois PUJOLAS, Ambassador of France to Ghana as well as members of the diplomatic community and Corporate Ghana.

The high-level business networking event was attended by about 300 guests, representing over 20 sectors across the Ghanaian business industry and the International business scene, and representatives from several Ghanaian State agencies, which gives an optimistic indication of a growth in bilateral relationship between the Republic of Ghana and the Republic of France.

The Gala Night witnessed the maiden edition of CCI France Ghana Membership Recognition Awards. A total of five member companies of the Chamber were recognised for projects undertaken that exhibits their commitment to strengthening foreign and local relations, as well as partnership with Ghana, to support the country’s economic development.

The five companies were Air France, for their entry into the Ghanaian market, J.K. Horgle Transport & Company Ltd, a Ghanaian owned company whose remarkable efforts made in the petroleum haulage industry, and haulage of containers, dry cargo and trucks for spot hires which has resulted in the generation of local employment.

Bouygues Construction Ltd was recognised for its contribution to the health sector by undertaking the construction and rehabilitation of the Ridge Hospital to transform it into a regional facility in line with international standards whilst Empyreal Design & Build Ltd, another wholly owned Ghanaian company whose activity as the sole distributor of environmental friendly, recyclable ceilings promotes environmental protection.

Cal Bank Ltd was recognised for its contribution to the maritime industry particularly the huge investment made by the bank to help decongest the Takoradi Port and create space for some expansion works within the facility by the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority.

The recognition ceremony, scheduled to be held annually demonstrates the remarkable efforts made by Ghanaian and International companies with subsidiaries in Ghana, in creating a positive impact on the Ghanaian economy.

Companies to be recognised will cut across several sectors ranging from Transport & Logistics, Agriculture, Automobile Services, Construction, and Banking & Finance amongst others.

Speakers at the event included Mr. Patrick PRADO, the President of CCI France Ghana, who touched on the vision of the Chamber in Ghana. He elaborated on CCIFG’s efforts to show its support in improving the bilateral relationship between France and Ghana by providing expertise through the recommendation of our member companies so as to promote crucial development in various sectors in the country along with Business France.

He also highlighted the target of increasing the Ghanaian presence and participation in activities undertaken by the Chamber and decision making bodies such as the Board of Directors. Also, Sectorial Committees will be set up to identify and address needs and recommend strategies to enable the Chamber provide more tailored services to suit member companies.

The Republic of Ghana and the Republic of France celebrates 60 fruitful years of diplomatic relations which is also a milestone for Ghana, as it is marks 60 years of independence.

The Ambassador of France to Ghana, H.E. Francois Pujolas, in his speech gave an insight on what this means for the French community.

He noted France’s intention to further develop and diversify its trade with Ghana which currently stands at one billion Euros annually and also highlighted the French government’s commitment to assist Ghana develop sectors which will create business opportunities and boost Ghana’s economy.

On his part, the Senior Minister, on behalf of the H.E. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, expressed his optimism on the prospect the relations between both countries will have on the economy, and his enthusiasm for what the existing partnership holds in the years to come.

Hon Osafo-Marfo emphasised on the cooperation of both countries so as to boost the current relationship, and the benefits of the relationship in the diversification and improvement of various fields such as oil and gas and agriculture. He also spoke about the relevance of French inclusion in the Ghanaian community, and urged the promotion of the French language amongst Ghanaians.

The Gala forms part of the increasing activities CCI France Ghana is organizing to contribute to the global rising of activities of the France in Ghana network. The objective of the range of activities is to support the French government and Business France in ensuring long-term development and diversification of trade with Ghana.

The Gala Night also created a platform for high-level networking and exchanges between delegates from various sectors in the Ghanaian Industry and beyond, so as to strengthen the economic cooperation between members of the Chamber, the diplomatic scene and other professionals in the Ghanaian trade and commerce industry, with an added value of a 4-course French Dinner and entertaining live music.

CCI France Ghana

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry France Ghana (CCIFG) is an association of companies and professionals belonging to different sectors which aims at supporting, fostering and enhancing bilateral trade and investment relations between French and Ghanaian companies.

With over 20 business sectors represented, CCI France Ghana acts as a business support system to its members by providing information through market studies, product-market testing, prospective missions and trade shows.

To ensure our members receive the most benefits, CCIFG continues to organize business networking events as well as give constant business support, making us one of the largest and most dynamic business networks in the world. The Gala Night organised goes beyond creating high-level exchanges and networking opportunities to create business partnerships for member and non-member participants.