Chicago: A Member of Ghana's Council of State, Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, has made a strong case for increased foreign direct investment in Ghana, urging American investors and members of the African Diaspora to seize emerging opportunities in the country, particularly in the Volta Region, which he described as one of Ghana's most promising investment frontiers.
According to Ghana Web, Kwamigah-Atokple addressed the 5th Annual Business Exchange Forum - Invest in Ghana Dialogue in Chicago, stating that Ghana offers investors more than promises, portraying the country as a stable democracy with a resilient economy, strategic location, and access to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), making it an ideal gateway to the continent's 1.4 billion consumers.
The forum brought together policymakers, investors, business executives, and members of the African Diaspora, with speakers including Simon Madjie, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Illinois State Representative Sonya Harper, and other business leaders.
Kwamigah-Atokple emphasized that Ghana is not seeking charity but is inviting the world to do business. He asserted that Ghana remains a confident and sustainable investment destination, backed by its credentials as one of Africa's largest economies, the continent's leading gold producer, and a global leader in cocoa production.
He noted that hosting the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area offers investors access to a market of more than 1.4 billion people, with opportunities extending beyond traditional sectors into value addition, industrialization, agribusiness, logistics, manufacturing, tourism, renewable energy, technology, and financial services.
Acknowledging Ghana's past macroeconomic and fiscal challenges, Kwamigah-Atokple highlighted the country's steady economic recovery, citing stabilized exchange rate volatility over the past one and a half years as a key factor restoring investor confidence. He attributed this partly to the economic policies of President John Dramani Mahama.
He underscored Ghana's democratic credentials, adherence to the rule of law, and growing private sector as factors making it one of Africa's most attractive destinations for long-term investment. He also recognized the critical role of local entrepreneurs in Ghana's economic transformation, encouraging foreign investors to pursue partnerships with indigenous businesses.
Kwamigah-Atokple urged members of the African Diaspora to invest in joint ventures, venture capital, technology transfer, and cross-border trade, moving beyond cultural and historical connections with Ghana.
Highlighting the Volta Region, Kwamigah-Atokple described it as one of Ghana's best-kept investment secrets, with fertile agricultural land, abundant water resources, tourism attractions, and peaceful communities as major advantages for investors. He also mentioned government's plans to develop a modern port and harbor facility in the region, positioning it as a strategic gateway for commerce across Ghana and West Africa.
Concluding his address, he reaffirmed Ghana's readiness to deepen economic cooperation with the United States and the African Diaspora, expressing appreciation to The Progressive Minds Show and the organizers of the Business Exchange Forum for fostering economic and investment ties between Ghana and the United States.