The sixth meeting of the UK-Ghana Business Council (UKGBC) was held in London, UK, on Wednesday, 11 May, with delegations of both countries agreeing to work to sustain strategic partnerships.

This is geared towards enhancing economic development through the fostering of bilateral relationships that will create jobs, and improve trade as well as investment opportunities.

The Council reaffirmed its commitment to give priority to six sectors – agro-processing, extractives, garments/textiles, digitalisation, pharmaceuticals, and financial services.

It also intends to ensure that the progress of bilateral partnership was framed around three key themes: infrastructure, domestic revenue mobilisation and ease of doing business.

This was in a communique issued at the end of the meeting co-chaired by the Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyerematen, on behalf of Dr Alhaji Mahamadu Bawumia, Vice President of Ghana, and the Minister of State for Trade Policy, Mr Penny Mordaunt, UK, and Minister for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Vicky Ford of UK.

“Both countries welcomed the opportunity to hold the UKGBC in person after holding Council meetings virtually for two years. Honourable members recognised and marked the significant progress that the Council has made since the last meeting in June 2021” the statement noted.

They also welcomed the continued progress of the UK-Ghana Trade Partnership Agreement (TPA) and committed to working together to maximise the benefits of the Agreement for both countries.

The Council also acknowledged the UK’s continuing support of Ghana’s infrastructure agenda with significant investment over the last two years in transportation, energy, water and healthcare.

It also noted the progress made by UK-Ghana partnerships in domestic revenue mobilisation and welcomed the UK’s support for Ghana’s pharmaceutical, garments and textiles and auto industries.

“Honourable members also celebrated the appointment of Mr Kwabena Asante-Poku as the first Ghana Country Director of British International Investment Bll, (formerly CDC), and were happy with the investment opportunities the new role would bring to the table.

“It was also agreed that the next meeting of the UK-GBC would be held in Ghana in 2022” The communique stated.