Mr Iain Walker
Ghana will join other African countries for the first ever UK-Africa Investment Summit which is scheduled for January 20, this year, in London.
The summit is expected to showcase UK’s unique offer to Africa and build strong partnerships with the continent.
For Ghana, the summit will provide a platform to secure investment opportunities, more exports, jobs and economic growth that benefit both Ghanaian and British businesses.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the summit, the UK High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Iain Walker, said the summit would seek to drive the agenda between UK and Africa relationship.
“We are looking to transform the way we engage with the continent and we are looking to evolve how we engage with Africa and Ghana,” he said.
He said the partnership between UK and Ghana had led to prosperity, with jobs being at the core.
“We have real examples of changes and investments that have come on the back of it. An example is the investment in the extension of the airport in Kumasi, the investment in hospitals in Kumasi, investments in infrastructure in water that we are seeing from the private sector and a move to have UK and Ghana working on things like digitisation,” he said.
Patient capital
He said the UK was also committed to developing finance and patient capital that would be of benefit to Ghanaian businesses.
“We are looking on how to work with Ghana in this regard and the summit offers a fantastic platform for that.
“We want to be leading the way in this dialogue and I think we have to change the narrative of what Africa is as a continent, and how we can help tell the story of Ghana in a different way.
“Too often, the stories that come from Africa in the western media focuses on poverty, governance and security. While these things are undoubtedly real challenges, the true story of Ghana is one of aspiration and ambition and we want to make sure the Africa Investment Summit tells that story and to ensure that when people think of where they want to invest in, they will think of Ghana and Africa,” he said.
About summit
The summit, to be hosted by the UK Prime Minister, Mr Boris Johnson, is a major milestone for UK, which will bring African leaders, businesses, entrepreneurs, and international finance institutions to showcase new partnerships that create jobs and boost mutual prosperity.
The summit is expected to strengthen the UK-Africa partnership that is, building a secure and prosperous future for all citizens.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who is expected to attend the summit, will later hold talks with the Prime Minister of UK and other UK government cabinet ministers including the Foreign Secretary and the Development Secretary.
Source: Graphic Online
