Vice President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to African leaders to create a congenial atmosphere that would attract international investors into their countries. The atmosphere, he noted, can be created by coming out with laudable, convincing and attractive investment ideas that would sustain the flourishing economies for decades. Vice President Mahama said this when he inaugurated a two-day African Investment Forum 2012 under the theme: “Partnering with ECOWAS to Accelerate Investment in the Sub-Region”. The two-day programme will discuss “Enhancing Regional Trade and Investment, Public-Private partnership for infrastructure development, AgriBusiness, Manufacturing and Consumer Goods, Energy, power transmission, oil and gas, Banking and access to finance among others.” Mr. Mahama further gave assurance to all investors interested in doing business in Ghana that the country would remain stable and more peaceful after the December polls adding “There is no need adopting wait and see attitude in investing in Ghana as the economy will remain stable.” The Vice President said West Africa had a comparative advantage in agriculture and therefore concentrating on it could make them the food basket of the world in the years to come. Sir Alan Collins, Director General of Commonwealth Business Council, said convening of the forum was appropriate for them to come out with workable solutions to some of the challenges of African Development. He said ECOWAS has numerous advantages in respect of their indulgence in good and stable governments that could set the tone for creating conducive environment for trade and investment. Mr Ishmael Yamson, Chairman of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, said although there has been growing interest in investing in Africa, the leaders are yet to take full advantage of the offer to leverage their development.