Come do business in Ghana – First Lady urges
Ghana’s First Lady Lordina Mahama has urged investors in the U.S. to take advantage of the current liberal investment laws and enabling environment to do business in Ghana. She pointed out that Ghana and indeed Africa is the most business-oriented and friendly place for both established and emerging investors. This observation was made by Hon. Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Local Government on behalf of Mrs. Mahama at Newark’s City Hall last month .
The junior minister was in Newark, New Jersey as head of a three person delegation to show appreciation to the city and personally thank Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for spearheading a legislation that renamed a one-block street Ghanaian Way a few years ago. The current mayor was then Councilman of the South Ward.
In a brief marketing presentation, Hon. Agyekum encouraged Ghanaians to pull resources together and form partnerships with U.S. investors for mutual benefits. He said the Asians have made their presence known and felt in investments but there is still room for all. He emphasized that in the energy sector alone, Ghana is deficient of about 2500MW (mega watts) with yearly potential increment of about 20 percent. He added that with modern technology oil, including the Venezualan-type and gas is being continually discovered. Vast deposits of bauxite, buried in mountains and valleys are also yet to be explored. He added that President John Mahama has requested the Ministry of Agriculture to come up with modalities and structures of establishing semi processing plants to stem the bulk export of raw materials.
In a brief remark, Mayor Ras Baraka urged Africans to take control of their resources and recognize their wealth before other people recognize them. Mayor Baraka reiterated his vision of an African Town in Newark, New Jersey. “We have to move from the ceremonial to the material reality,” he added. The challenge of an African Town was first thrown to the Mayor by Mr. Stephen Oduro in his keynote address at the 3rd Annual Celebration of Ghanaian Way in August this year. Newark City Council President, Hon. Mildred Crump pointed out that the City of Newark has had a sister-city relationship with Kumasi for a long time and would, consider the proposal by Hon. Oko Vanderpuye, the Mayor of Accra for similar relationships with Newark.
The other member of the delegation was Hon. Hellen Ntoso, Volta Regional Minister. The delegation threw an open invitation to Mayor Ras Baraka and the City Councilmember to visit Ghana. Present at the event were Dr. Zachary Yamba, a community icon, some royalty as well as Hon. Deputy Mayor….., International Relations and Diaspora Affairs.
He added that with modern technology oil, including the Venezualan-type and gas is being continually discovered. Vast deposits of bauxite, buried in mountains and valleys are also yet to be explored. He added that President John Mahama has requested the Ministry of Agriculture to come up with modalities and structures of establishing semi processing plants to stem the bulk export of raw materials.
In a brief remark, Mayor Ras Baraka urged Africans to take control of their resources and recognize their wealth before other people recognize them. Mayor Baraka reiterated his vision of an African Town in Newark, New Jersey. “We have to move from the ceremonial to the material reality,” he added. The challenge of an African Town was first thrown to the Mayor by Mr. Stephen Oduro in his keynote address at the 3rd Annual Celebration of Ghanaian Way in August this year. Newark City Council President, Hon. Mildred Crump pointed out that the City of Newark has had a sister-city relationship with Kumasi for a long time and would, consider the proposal by Hon. Oko Vanderpuye, the Mayor of Accra for similar relationships with Newark.
The other member of the delegation was Hon. Helen Ntoso, Volta Regional Minister. The delegation threw an open invitation to Mayor Ras Baraka and the City Councilmember to visit Ghana. Present at the event were Dr. Zachary Yamba, a community icon, some royalty as well as Hon. Deputy Mayor Ugo Nwaokoro,International Relations and Diaspora Affairs.
Mayor Ras Baraka on behalf of the City of Newark presented an award to Lordina Mahama for her philantropic work. The award was received on behalf of the First Lady by the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.