The UK reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening trade, investment, and economic transformation in Ghana at the 9th UK-Ghana Business Council in Accra on January 31. 

The Council, which was co-chaired by the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and the Minister for State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, agreed on specific actions to accelerate greater trade and investment to bring mutual prosperity for both countries.    

Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell MP said, “I am immensely proud of the UK-Ghana Business Council and what we have delivered together.

"Today we celebrate the success of a new partnership in the automotive sector, and a new Green Cities and Infrastructure programme, which will help mobilise climate finance and of course, exciting ambitions for our relationship on science, technology, and innovation.   

 “This is a testament to the enduring friendship between our two countries. Our collaborative efforts in the past five years have chartered a course for economic prosperity, innovation, and shared growth.    

 “I look forward to our commitment to continue to create opportunities for our nations”. 

The Minister recognized the significance of the £5 million multi-country ODA-funded bilateral technical partnership on animal health between the UK and countries in Africa, including Ghana, during a meeting with the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong.

The project aims to strengthen terrestrial and aquatic animal health systems to better prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks, increasing the productivity and resilience of the farming sector and working towards ending preventable deaths in vulnerable communities.

To date, over 228 communities in Ghana have benefited from the project.    

He also expressed the UK’s continued support and commitment to Ghana’s economic recovery and discussed progress on the IMF programme in a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Finance, John Ampontuah Kumah.

Andrew Mitchell also used the opportunity to engage on the Climate Vulnerable Forum’s priorities with President Nasheed and how the UK can support Ghana as chair. 

Further to his engagement with the Deputy Minister of Finance, Andrew Mitchell also met with the Minister for National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah.

The two discussed regional security developments, including the situation in Niger, and Ghana’s role in bilateral and multilateral responses through ECOWAS and the Accra Initiative building off the back of the 3rd Security Dialogue held in Accra recently. 

Minister Mitchell also met with MPs from both sides of the political divide and used the opportunity to express the value the UK government places on Ghana’s democracy and the importance of free, fair, and peaceful elections.