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\n<\/div>\nThe U.K\u2019s Minister\u00a0for Africa has affirmed their government\u2019s commitment to increase her investment in Ghana and ensure greater economic harmonization between the two countries.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Recounting the economic gains and significant strides aimed at formalizing and improving the Ghanaian economy in the last few years, Harriet Baldwin, together with some government officials and business leaders of the UK pledged to bring new investments and increase existing UK investments in Ghana.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Minister Harriet Baldwin made this call at the second UK-Ghana Business Council (UKGBC) meetings held at the Lancaster House in London on Tuesday. The first meeting of the UKGBC was held in Ghana in\u00a0October last year.<\/p>\n
The Vice President\u00a0 Dr\u00a0Mahamudu\u00a0Bawumia is attending the meeting.<\/p>\n
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The overarching goal of the UKGBC is to match as closely as possible Ghana\u2019s needs with UK expertise, financing and private sector support.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s meetings have been exploring 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,\u00a0fintech, and cybersecurity.<\/p>\n
Also, among others, UKGBC is tasked to explore technical assistance on standards and customs facilitation and work to identify and breakdown constraints to greater trade and investment<\/p>\n
The UK government\u00a0intends 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.<\/p>\n
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There are also the\u00a0720-bed capacity maternity block at the\u00a0Komfo Anokye\u00a0Teaching Hospital in Kumasi,\u00a0Vester, Blues Skies,\u00a0Curist\u00a0pharmaceuticals,\u00a0Amandi\u00a0power projects, the extractive sector, Volta Lake Water Transport projects, and many others.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On his part, the Vice President lauded the UK government\u2019s interest in increasing economic cooperation between Ghana and the UK and pledged the support of the government of Ghana.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very happy with the UK government\u2019s 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\u201d, Vice President\u00a0Bawumia\u00a0observed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Dr.\u00a0Bawumia\u00a0continued \u201cFor 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 centre globally.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d he indicated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Officials present at today\u2019s meetings included Alan\u00a0Kyerematen, Trade Minister; Prof. George\u00a0Gyan\u00a0Baffour, Planning Minister, Yofi\u00a0Grant (CEO, Ghana Investment Promotion Center), and Papa\u00a0Owusu\u00a0Ankomah, Ghana\u2019s High Commissioner to UK,\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Adam\u00a0Afriyie, UK Prime Minister\u2019s Trade Envo;\u00a0Rachel Turner, Director for Economic Development & Europe, DFID; Ian Walker, UK High Commissioner to Ghana, were also present.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n