President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Dr Richmond Afotey Nii Okle, a lecturer at the Beanstalk International Bilingual School (BIBS) in China, as Head of Investment and Tourism at Ghana’s Embassy in Beijing, China.

Dr Nii Okle, who has served as Secretary to the NDC China Chapter from 2018 to date, assumes this new role with a wealth of knowledge in finance, investments, and international relations.

He holds a PhD in Finance, a Master of Science in Finance and Investment, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Statistics.

He is currently the Head of the Mathematics Department at BIBS in Beijing and is an alumnus of Mfantsipim School, 2005 year group.

In his new capacity, Dr Okle’s core mandate will be to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from China into Ghana’s productive sectors in support of the government’s 24-hour economy initiative.

He is expected to actively promote investment opportunities, special economic zones such as the Ghana Free Zones, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to Chinese companies and financial institutions.

With bilateral trade between Ghana and China reaching a record high of $11.8 billion in 2024, Dr Okle will play a pivotal role in organising and participating in investment forums, business seminars, trade fairs, and roadshows across major Chinese cities to position Ghana as a premier destination for investment.

He will also serve as the primary liaison for Chinese businesses interested in the Ghanaian market, providing accurate information on regulations, incentives, and investment procedures.

Additionally, he will work to address systemic challenges faced by Chinese investors through close engagement with both Ghanaian and Chinese governmental institutions.

Leveraging his extensive Chinese network, Dr Okle will be instrumental in mobilising Chinese investments toward the government’s ambitious $10 billion “Big Push” programme, which aims to bridge Ghana’s infrastructure deficit in roads, railways, and the energy sector.

On the tourism front, Dr Richmond Afotey Nii Okle will focus on strengthening connections between Ghanaian tourism service providers, including hotels, tour operators, and transport companies, and their Chinese counterparts to enhance the overall experience for Chinese visitors.

He will also lead efforts to market Ghana’s unique tourism offerings to the Chinese audience, highlighting key attraction sites, as well as Ghana’s rich cultural festivals and heritage sites.