AmCham Ghana and IOM explore partnership on migration and skills development

AmCham Ghana recently hosted a delegation from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) led by Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, Chief of Mission, Ghana Togo and Benin, to discuss how the private sector can contribute to sustainable migration pathways, skills development and diaspora engagement.

IOM, the United Nations migration agency, operates in over 100 countries and has 175 member states.  Its mission is to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of migrants and society.  In Ghana, IOM has been present since 1987 and works closely with the Government to combat human trafficking, support border management and reintegrate returning migrants.  Through the EU‑IOM Joint Initiative, the organisation has facilitated the voluntary return of more than 970 Ghanaians, mainly from Libya, since 2017 .

During the meeting, the IOM team provided an overview of its key programmes and ongoing initiatives. These include pre-departure health assessments and ethical recruitment processes for Ghanaian migrant workers, ensuring migrants are medically fit and properly prepared for employment abroad. The organisation also highlighted its community stabilisation projects in northern Ghana and border regions, which provide small grants, livelihood support, and training to communities vulnerable to instability and violent extremism. In addition, IOM shared its reintegration assistance programme, which combines psychosocial support, vocational training, and entrepreneurship grants. In 2025 alone, approximately 2,400 returning migrants benefited from these interventions.

AmCham Ghana outlined its role as a membership-based advocacy organisation that connects U.S. and Ghanaian businesses. The Chamber’s priorities include policy advocacy, market access, investment promotion, and trade facilitation. .The discussion highlighted new opportunities to collaborate with international partners such as IOM.

Several key areas of collaboration emerged from the conversation. Both organisations agreed that Ghana’s diaspora and U.S.-educated students represent an untapped resource. AmCham will work with IOM to explore the development of a platform to track overseas Ghanaian talent and connect them with internships and employment opportunities within member companies. The discussion also emphasised labour mobility and ethical recruitment, noting that IOM’s expertise in pre-departure training and health assessments could help AmCham members recruit internationally in a responsible and compliant manner. To support this, a joint forum on labour mobility will be organised to share best practices and practical guidance with the business community.

Corporate social responsibility was another important theme. The meeting highlighted the value of private sector involvement in reintegration programmes, with examples such as DHL’s logistics training for returnees demonstrating how companies can support sustainable livelihoods and social inclusion. In the area of policy advocacy, AmCham will incorporate migration-related issues into its advocacy agenda and work with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, and other stakeholders on ethical recruitment and diaspora engagement.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue the dialogue and develop a concrete action plan. AmCham will designate focal points to coordinate with IOM on diaspora engagement, labour mobility, and reintegration initiatives.

Migration remains a critical driver of economic growth. When effectively managed, it expands the talent pool, unlocks diaspora investment, and fosters innovation. By partnering with IOM, AmCham Ghana can help its members tap into the skills and networks of Ghanaian migrants and returnees while supporting ethical recruitment and social responsibility. Members interested in these initiatives are encouraged to contact the Chamber for more information.

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Digital Data Centers Ghana Ltd — Gold Member Announcement

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana (AmCham), is delighted to welcome Digital Data Centers Ghana Ltd as our newest Gold Member.

Digital Data Center Ghana Ltd, part of Digital Realty, plays a critical role in strengthening Ghana’s digital infrastructure by providing secure, reliable, and world-class data center solutions that support businesses, technology providers, and public institutions.

As a Gold Member of AmCham Ghana, Digital Data Center Ghana Ltd joins a growing network of organizations committed to advancing trade, investment, digital transformation, and sustainable economic growth between Ghana and the United States.

We look forward to collaborating closely with Digital Data Center Ghana Ltd to support innovation, enhance data resilience, and accelerate Ghana’s digital economy.

Welcome aboard, Digital Data Center Ghana Ltd.!

GTBank Ghana — Gold Member Announcement

GTBank Ghana—Gold Member Announcement

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana (AmCham), is delighted to welcome Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Ltd as our newest Gold Member.

Guaranty Trust Bank Ghana, a leading financial institution known for innovation, customer-centric banking, and digital excellence, continues to play a vital role in strengthening Ghana’s financial services sector and supporting business growth across industries.

As a Gold Member of AmCham Ghana, GTBank joins a strong network of forward-thinking organizations committed to advancing trade, investment, and private-sector development between Ghana and the United States.

We look forward to collaborating closely with Guaranty Trust Bank Ghana to promote financial innovation, empower businesses, and support sustainable economic growth.

Welcome aboard, Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Ltd!

AmCham Ghana Data Protection Week Webinar.

During this year’s Data Protection Week, the American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana brought together members, partners, and regulators to discuss the evolving landscape of privacy, cross‑border data flows, and digital trade. AmCham Ghana CEO Doris Kafui Afanyedey opened the webinar by welcoming members and the Ghana Data Protection Commission (DPC) for the collaboration.  Ms. Doris emphasized that, as data underpins innovation in financial services, trade, and service delivery, it is essential to establish trust and compliance frameworks that support both local and multinational companies operating in Ghana.

The webinar aimed to focus on practical steps to build a robust privacy ecosystem while fostering cross‑border data flows, including:

  • Clarifying Ghana’s data protection and regulatory expectations for local and multinational businesses
  • Examining cross-border data flows in the context of cloud services, fintech, AI, and digital trade
  • Highlighting how strong data governance builds trust, competitiveness, and investor confidence
  • Providing practical guidance for CIOs, compliance, legal, and ICT leaders navigating data risk and opportunity

The key Speaker for the webinar, Quintin Nero Jones Akrobotu,  Director of Regulatory Compliance at the Data Protection Commission, emphasized that under Section 58 of the Data Protection Act, data controllers must appoint certified data protection supervisors who understand Ghana’s legal framework and can monitor compliance.  He reiterated that the Commission has published training guidelines for the Certified Data Protection Supervisor (CDPS) program, which equips professionals with practical skills to interpret the Act, support internal compliance frameworks, and handle data subject requests.  By investing in local certification, multinationals demonstrate respect for Ghanaian data subjects and strengthen their own governance structures.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of cross‑border data flows for Ghana’s digital economy.  According to a 2025 issue brief by the Future of Privacy Forum, cross‑border transfers are critical to Africa’s digital trade and are recognized in the African Union Data Policy Framework.  The protocol on digital trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) calls for free flow of data while respecting privacy and security.  Mr. Akrobotu noted that Ghana’s alignment with these frameworks will help businesses leverage cloud services, fintech platforms and artificial‑intelligence systems while safeguarding personal data.

In a Q&A session, participants asked about the use of AI in recruitment and the rights of candidates subjected to automated decisions.  Mr. Akrobotu clarified that individuals have the right to be informed when automated decision‑making is used and may request a human review of decisions.  He reminded employers that data‑driven technologies must be deployed responsibly and that individuals have the right to explain the circumstances behind adverse inferences.  Such safeguards protect privacy while allowing innovation. He also clarified that companies outside of Ghana can still register with the DPC after they receive a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

 

Finally, the DPC highlighted its Privacy Seal programme, which recognizes organizations that demonstrate strong privacy practices and compliance.  Businesses were encouraged to apply for the seal as a public commitment to accountability.  The Chamber will continue working with the DPC to ensure members have access to training and guidance.

AmCham Ghana Consumer Goods, Retail and Agribusiness Sector Committee Sets Goals for 2026

AmCham Ghana’s Consumer Goods, Retail & Agribusiness Sector Committee convened its inaugural 2026 session with a clear mandate: to align private-sector voices and sharpen advocacy around some of the most pressing challenges facing Ghana’s consumer goods and agribusiness ecosystem.

Members identified standards harmonisation as a top priority, particularly across West Africa. Inconsistent and weakly enforced standards, ranging from food safety and quality to raw-material inputs, continue to distort competition, disadvantage compliant firms, and undermine consumer trust. The Committee agreed that stronger engagement with regulators, including the Food and Drugs Authority and standards agencies, will be critical.

A second major concern was policy unpredictability in imports and pricing, especially in agriculture. Participants highlighted how mismatches between local supply realities and import duties, such as maize oversupply in some seasons and shortages in others, create volatility for producers, processors, and consumers alike. The Committee called for more responsive, data-driven policy decisions that reflect real market conditions.

Closely linked to this was the need for credible market intelligence. Members expressed concern about fragmented and often inaccurate data informing both public policy and private investment decisions. Improving access to reliable statistics on production, imports, demand, and pricing was seen as essential to reducing market “noise” and supporting better business planning.

Governance challenges in regulated sectors, notably cocoa, also featured strongly. Participants stressed that weak coordination, delayed decision-making, and limited private-sector consultation can erode value across entire value chains, ultimately affecting farmers, investors, and national revenue.

Looking ahead, the Committee agreed to focus on three core workstreams for 2026:

  1. standards and regulatory enforcement,
  2. market intelligence and data transparency, and
  3. structured policy dialogue with relevant ministries and agencies.

Through targeted engagements, smaller technical dialogues, and member spotlights, the Consumer Goods Committee aims to position AmCham Ghana as a constructive platform, one that amplifies evidence-based private-sector input while supporting sustainable growth in Ghana’s consumer and agribusiness sectors.

Mr Clarence Amenyah (Country Director of Herbalife Nutrition Ghana) was nominated to chair the committee, and Mr Max Essoh Latte was nominated as the vice-chair.  The Committee Members’ companies include Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana Limited, Cargill Ghana, Masco Foods, Bunge Loders Croklaan, Warc Ghana, Coca-Cola Equatorial Africa, Herbalife Ghana, Flour Mills of Ghana, Epac Flexible Packaging, Agrimat Limited, Union Beverage, Afam Concept, and Orkin Ghana.

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