The Vice President of Ghana, Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, has acknowledged the collaborative strides made under the auspices of the UK-Ghana Business Council (UKGBC) since its foundation in 2018.
At the 7th session of the Council at the Jubilee House, Accra, Dr Bawumia said he was delighted that six years down the line, his vision for the Council; to reduce trade barriers and enhance cooperation between the Governments of Ghana and the United Kingdom had led to the funding of major infrastructural projects in the country through UK Export Financing.
He disclosed, “I have been so impressed with the accomplishments that have been made over the last six years under the UKGBC. If you look at the projects, in the area of infrastructure for instance, they have been quite significant. The Kumasi International Airport easily comes to mind; the Tamale Airport as well.
You have the Eastern Regional Hospital which is ongoing, reconstruction and modernization of the 44-Year old Maternity and Children’s Block at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.
You have the Aqua Africa Limited which is supplying critical water to 16 towns across the country; Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange Phase II, Kejetia Market Phase II, equipping of the Bekwai Hospital, and the Tema-Aflao highway, which is really key and many more.
I think there has been significant progress made under the UK-Ghana Business Council, its setting up makes a lot of sense, and I’m glad that we are continuing in the same spirit of cooperation and partnership between the UK and Ghana. There is a solid record of accomplishment thus far.”
The Vice President lauded the UK Government for their support to Ghana and the cooperation that the two countries have seen from the private sector, the investments that are taking place.
He hopes the duo working together, especially as Ghana and the UK chart new ground in the area of climate change.
Baroness Kate Hoey, UK Trade Envoy to Ghana, in companion with Ms Harriet Thompson, UK High Commissioner to Ghana, Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell, UK Minister of State for Development and Africa acknowledged the important role the UKGBC has played in deepening relations between the two countries, and pledged the UK’s commitment to stronger cooperation.
I know from my Ministerial colleagues including Penny Mordaunt and Vickie Ford who chaired the last session in London in May, just what a central role the UK Ghana Business Council has played in deepening our bilateral relationship, increasing trade and investment, building partnerships, creating jobs, supporting sustainable growth and building mutual, shared prosperity.
By focusing on a set of priority sectors, UKGBC has helped us target the areas that we can collectively make the biggest difference. I am delighted that today we will be able to hear about progress across those sectors, in particular in the auto and energy sectors; I had a chance this morning to visit the auto sector to see for myself what is going on,” he stressed.
