Ghana will host the first-ever Pan African Trade Fair and investment conference in Accra on November 15 to November 21, to serve as a platform to assist the development of African businesses. The fair, which will be on the theme: "Uniting Africa through Trade and the Rest of the World," is aimed at establishing effective trade relations to hasten the economic progress of Africa and the rest of the world and strengthen African small-scale entrepreneurs who provide up to 80 per cent jobs on the continent. Eighty (80) of the 200 participants expected have so far registered. Activities to be undertaken include exhibition, seminars and conferences on topics such as: "Creating a Conducive Environment for Investors Seeking Opportunity in Ghana," "Redefining the African Foreign Policy on Trade and Investment" and "Breaking Investment Barriers (Challenges the Caribbean faces)." Chief Executive Officer of Liego Company Limited, an event organizing company, Mrs Lydia Yahaya, who launched the fair, said the event would draw the world's attention to Africa to deepen the vision of Ghana's first President, 0sagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who sought to unite Africa with the aim of making it a centre of attraction to the outside world. According to her, the fair hopes to erase all the colonial barriers between African nations, which made it difficult for them to invest or trade among themselves. Mrs Yahaya added it would also serve as a forum to exhibit the various potentials and businesses available on the continent and create employment opportunities. She said the fair seeks to provide the needed stage for the complete expression of the United Nations laudable HELP AFRICA initiative. Public Relations Manager of Leigo Company, Mr Henry Baiden, said the aim of bringing Africa together has always been expressed at ministerial meetings with African states. Mr Seth Asamoah, Chief Marketing Manager, Ghana Trade Fair Company and a member of the planning committee of the fair, noted that fairs serve as links for investors to access investment opportunities. Source: GNA