Countries worldwide are challenged to do more in revitalising their economies as a way to bounce back after the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

For this reason, the Information Ministry and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) through an investment event called the ‘Spark Up Investment Summit’, are looking to revitalise the nation’s economy by providing an enabling platform for discussions centred on current investment challenges in Ghana and solutions to them.

The Summit is scheduled for September 07, 2021, will bring together government, government agencies, investors, key industry players, sectors, and stakeholders in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) ecosystem.

Meet our speakers

The Speakers slated are frontrunners in the journey to revamp the Ghanaian economy, which reiterates their contribution.

President Nana Akufo-Addo is a man of many covers, an experienced lawyer and an equally committed politician and advocate. His legacy in his legal practice championed the cause of human rights, the rule of law, justice, freedom, and democracy, making the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian his personal project.

Nana Akufo-Addo, in his hands-on approach to tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, motivated still by his advocate for the Ghanaian mandate, has sought to alleviate the effects of the pandemic on the economy by introducing policies to revamp it.

One such is the Ghana COVID-19 Alleviation and Revitalization of Enterprises Support (GhanaCARES - “Obaatan pa”). He is dedicated to seeing the economy grow and elevated to where Ghana is again an attractive prospect for investment.

Yofi Grant

With over three decades in Investment, Banking and Finance, Reginald Yofi Grant is touted as a recognised and valued voice in the Financial market and investment sector.

Currently, the Ghana Investment Promotion Agency CEO, under the Office of the President of Ghana, Mr Grant, is credited with cofounding Grant Dupuis Investment Limited and Praxis Fortune Caliber.

He counselled in the development and implementation of AAF SME Fund LLC, one of the largest agricultural funds in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mr Grant is a council member of the Continental Business Network of the African Union, a member of the board of trustees of the OACP Endowment and Trust Fund, on the Steering Board of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) representing Sub Saharan Africa and a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN).

Mr Reginald Yofi Grant brings to the table his experience and expertise in conversations at the ‘Spark Up’ Investment Summit.

Ken Ofori-Atta

An accomplished professional with more than 30 years of experience in the financial sector, both local and international, Honourable Ken Ofori-Atta is the current Minister of Finance of the Republic of Ghana and a Co-Founder of the Aspen African Leadership Initiative.

Mr Ofori-Atta co-founded and chaired the Databank Group, a recognised investment bank in Ghana. Before the bank’s establishment, I served as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley and Salomon Brothers on Wall Street in New York. 

His achievements include being the first African to be honoured as a Donaldson Fellow at Yale University in 2010, a John Jay Fellow at Columbia University in 2011 and a Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute.

Mr Ofori-Atta’s principled approach to work and work expediency afforded him recognition, twice, by PriceWaterHouse Ghana as one of the Top 5 Most Respected CEOs in Ghana.

He embodies the expertise and the ability to push the revitalisation agenda set at the maiden ‘Spark Up’ Investment.

Alan Kyerematen

Currently, Minister of Trade and Industry of Ghana, and having served in the same capacity between 2003 and 2007, experience and know-how are not lacking.

Alan Kyerematen is versed in the art of turning collaborative efforts into landmark trade and investment agreements that transcend the Ghanaian border.

He played a key role in shaping Africa’s Trade Policy agenda in the WTO, the EU-ACP Economic Partnership Negotiations, AGOA and UNCTAD.

Mr Alan Kyerematen served as the first Regional Director of ENTERPRISE AFRICA, UNDP’s flagship initiative for developing and promoting small and medium enterprises in Africa.

In addition, he was a leading member of the technical team of the African Union that developed the Action Plan for the establishment of a Continental Free Trade Area for Africa, to be launched in 2017.

Mr Alan Kyerematen was a Member of the Council of Governors of the British Executive Service Overseas (BESO) in the United Kingdom.

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, currently the Minister of Information of Ghana and the Member of Parliament for the Ofoase-Ayirebi constituency, was one of the integral faces of comfort to the Ghanaian people during the earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Commerce, MBA Marketing, Bachelor’s Degree in Law and practised as a journalist.

His diverse knowledge in commerce, marketing, journalism, and law makes for a strong force in executing his Ministerial mandate. This knowledge will be brought to the fore at the ‘Spark Up’ Investment Summit.

These main speakers are supported by the respected Elsie Addo Awadzi, Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, and Abena Osei Asare, Dep. Minister of Finance, who will be moderators on panels at the Summit, will make for a trailblazing maiden ‘Spark Up’ Investment Summit.

Join the live screening of the Summit on MOI and GIPC digital media platforms. Registration is free, but there are limited slots available. 

Register to attend virtually here.

Learn more about the Spark Up 2021 Summit.