Consul General at the Ghana High Commission in Nigeria, Hon. Salata Bakari
On Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th, February 2022 the Ghana Nigeria Business Council led key promotional governmental organizations including Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Ghana Export Promotion Authority, and Ghana Free Zones Authority for a CEO Forum to Lagos and Abuja respectively.
The event titled GIPC/GNBC 2022 CEO Forum, with the theme Ghana & Nigeria stronger together saw Corporate and SME CEOs gather to learn about business and investment opportunities available in Ghana, along with the procedures, fees, and licenses required to operate a business in Ghana.
The event was opened by the Ghana High Commission to Nigeria with supporting messages from the Lagos & Abuja Chamber of Commerce, ECOWAS, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria, Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, Nigeria Export Promotion Authority, with a closing from the council's sister organization Nigeria Ghana Business Council all highlighting and emphasizing the importance of Ghana and Nigeria’s centuries-old relationship, our brotherhood, and our strength together as the two strongest economies in West Africa whilst also, being the most influential countries globally.
The forum displayed the appetite that Nigerians have to enter into Ghana via collaborative partnerships across sectors. Dr. Afua Asabea Asare, CEO of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority highlighted 17 key areas in which Ghana requires support meeting production capacity that Nigerians can work with their Ghanaian counterparts to meet international quotas and requirements.
Ambassador Michael Aaron Oquaye Jnr ESQ, CEO of Ghana Free Zones Authority vibrantly displayed great enthusiasm for Nigerians to embrace the opportunities available along with highlighting key free zones areas. He highlighted the importance of key government officials being present at the next meeting to discuss bottlenecks that are slowing down and/or preventing Nigerians from doing business in Ghana.
Providing highlights on investment opportunities, tariffs, and case studies of successful Nigerian businesses presently operating in Ghana. Mr. Edward Ashong-Lartey Director of Investor Relations informed delegates that Ghana is presently in the process of reviewing its registration fees along with communicating the progress of resolving the Nigerian trader's situation which is presently outstanding.
The event closed with one of our key sponsors Nartey Law Firm’s Managing Attorney Mr. William Nartey providing a short presentation highlighting the importance of bringing along SMEs as they are the primary drivers of both economies, in addition encouraging capitalization not to be a barrier entry, ‘…Rather we should let it lend itself to explore opportunities for collaboration through the creation of well-structured legal entities and partnerships.
Mr. Nartey went on to express that ‘risk is better managed which it is shared’.
Executive Secretary to the Ghana Nigeria Business Council Ms. Nadia Takyiwaa-Mensah stated ‘This is not just a talk shop and we will be back - I will be bold enough to say 3-4 months' time, so we can continue this conversation.
All key stakeholders and delegates deemed phase 1 to be a great success and are in the motion of planning phase 2 of strengthening the relationship between Ghana and Nigeria and boosting trade.
Sponsors for the 2022 CEO Forum included Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Ghana Free Zones Authority, Nartey Law Firm, Africa World Airlines, Alisa Hotels, and Media Majique Research and Systems.
