United signs Starlink deal to provide industry-leading connectivity in the sky – for free.

United AirlinesSM is setting a new standard of inflight connectivity by signing the industry’s largest agreement of its kind with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s fast, reliable Wi-Fi service to our mainline and regional aircraft fleet, for free.

UnitedSM customers will soon enjoy the same high-speed, low-latency internet service in the air that they enjoy on the ground. The new, gate-to-gate connectivity will unlock game-changing experiences in the sky at scale that no other major U.S. airline provides like access to live TV and streaming services, social media, shopping, gaming and more, on seatback screens and personal devices simultaneously. Watch announcement video > 

United expects to have Starlink on all United aircraft – more than 1,000 planes – over the next several years. Testing begins in early 2025 with the first passenger flights expected later that year.

Starlink service on United aircraft will be free.

 

For more info visit here

AmCham Ghana and US Commercial Service participates in Minexpo 2024.

AmCham Ghana’s president, Kimathi Kuenyehia, and executive secretary, Simon Madjie, participated in the 2024 Minexpo in Las Vegas. Ghana’s delegation to Minexpo was organized by the US Commercial Service with over 200 participants from Ghana. The Minexpo is the largest gathering of all players in the mining industry around the world. The major players exhibited the latest equipment, technology, and services in the sector with the focus on connecting buyers and sellers. C-suite executives from the mining industry also discussed the latest trends in the industry.

This year’s Minexpo was attended by over 44,000 industry players around the world, with approximately 45% of attendees being international delegates. There was also a significant growth in the participation of mining regulators and governments. Delegates from Ghana participated in the US Department of Commerce roundtable on building efficient supply chain systems in the critical minerals sector. The critical minerals event featured presentations from Ghana, Tanzania, Kazakhstan, US Export-Import Bank, US Trade and Development Agency, US AFRICOM and other companies including Cummins, Caterpillar, etc. Members of the Ghanaian delegation also visited the expo floor to interact with manufacturers of new equipment, technology, and services.

Other mining services companies seeking expansion into the Ghanaian market also made presentations to members of the delegation. The Government of Ghana delegation also held meetings with the US government team led by the Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary and Director General for the US and Foreign Commercial Service, Aruna Venkataraman.

 

2nd Distinguished Speaker Series on FDI with Hon Alan Kyeremateng

On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, the consortium of reputable trade associations, led by the American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana, convened at the Alisa Hotel in North Ridge for the 2nd Distinguished Speaker Series on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Ghana. The event was co-hosted by the Ghana Netherlands Business & Culture Council, Spain-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Ghana South Africa Business Chamber, Canada-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry, France.

The 2nd Distinguished Speaker Series on FDI keynote speaker was Hon. Alan Kyeremateng, Presidential Candidate for the upcoming elections and Leader of the Movement for Change (MFC). His presentation, centered around his Great Transformational Plan (GTP), outlined strategies to attract and retain investment in critical sectors of the Ghanaian economy, including the extractive industry, agriculture, digital economy, and infrastructure.

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U.S. Embassy Agriculture Counselor Visits AmCham Ghana

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024,  Mariano Beillard Agriculture Counselor, and representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana paid a courtesy call to the secretariat to discuss the current agriculture climate and advocate for further economic development.

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Absa Bank Ghana LTD Joins AmCham Ghana

The American Chamber of Commerce  Ghana is delighted to welcome Absa Bank Ghana LTD, a leading financial institution with a strong commitment to corporate clients, high-net-worth individuals, retail customers, and small and medium enterprises, as our Newest Corporate Member.

Absa Bank Ghana LTD is part of Absa Group Limited, an African financial services group that aims to be the pride of the continent. Absa Group Limited is listed on the JSE in South Africa and is one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups with a presence in 12 countries across the continent and around 42,000 employees.

Fly Zipline Ghana Joins AmCham Ghana

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, is thrilled to welcome Fly Zipline Ghana as our newest Platinum Member. Zipline, a global leader in autonomous delivery, has revolutionized logistics with its on-demand drone delivery system.

Zipline is on a mission to build the world’s first logistics system that serves everyone equally. With operations in eight countries across four continents and more than 80 million commercial autonomous miles flown to date, Zipline is transforming access to healthcare, consumer products, and food.

Zipline originally started delivering blood and medical products in Rwanda in 2016 and has since expanded to food, retail, agriculture products, and animal health products.

Zipline has two platforms — one for long-range delivery and the other for precise home delivery. We’ve delivered to thousands of homes, hospitals, and businesses in the US, Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Japan.

AmCham Ghana Reception In Honor of the New Commercial Counselor

Last Thursday, September 5th, AmCham Ghana hosted a reception honoring CS Ghana Commercial Counselor Rachel Kreissl, Commercial Officer Laurie Kelleher, and representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Ghana. Django Brothers, United Airlines, Voltic, Coca-Cola, and Tampico proudly supported the event. This engagement is designed to foster a valuable opportunity for members to network with industry professionals and create new business relationships.

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Distinguished Speaker Series on FDI with H.E. John Dramani Mahama

On Thursday, August 29, 2024, a consortium of reputable trade associations, led by the American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana, Ghana Netherlands Business & Culture Council, Spain-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Ghana South Africa Business Chamber, Canada-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Japan External Trade Office, and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry, France, launched the Distinguished Speaker Series at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.

This initiative aimed to foster high-level discussions on the future of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Ghana. The speaker for the occasion was the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)- H.E. John Dramani Mahama.

The dialogue sought to address policies implemented by political leaders to attract and retain FDI, which had been instrumental in Ghana’s economic growth. FDI had contributed significantly to job creation, tax revenue generation, increased capital flows, technology and skills transfer, export development, and infrastructure enhancement. Since 1990, foreign investors had contributed approximately $47.2 billion to the Ghanaian economy, solidifying Ghana’s position as a major recipient of FDI in the subregion.

H.E. John Dramani Mahama outlined challenges hindering FDI inflows, including regulatory complexities, contract violations, macroeconomic instability, and corruption. He proposed policy interventions to address these challenges and attract more FDI, such as simplifying regulatory processes, ensuring contract sanctity, improving macroeconomic stability, reforming state-owned enterprises, providing incentives for investors, and strengthening investment promotion agencies.

The speaker identified specific sectors for targeted FDI promotion, including the extractive industry, digital economy, infrastructure, and agriculture. During the Q&A session, H.E. John Dramani Mahama discussed strategies used to attract significant FDI during his time in office, focusing on the oil and gas sector. He emphasized the importance of streamlining bureaucratic processes, coordinating government agencies, and utilizing debt service escrow accounts and public-private partnerships to finance infrastructure projects.
H.E. John Dramani Mahama emphasized the crucial role of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in economic growth and development, particularly for developing nations like Ghana. He highlighted several challenges hindering FDI inflows into Ghana, including regulatory complexities, contract violations, macroeconomic instability, and corruption.

H.E. John Dramani Mahama outlined a series of policy interventions to address these challenges and attract more FDI. These included:
* Simplifying regulatory processes and reducing bureaucratic burdens
* Ensuring contract sanctity and resolving payment issues
* Improving macroeconomic stability and reducing inflation
* Reforming state-owned enterprises
* Providing incentives for investors
* Strengthening investment promotion agencies

H.E. John Dramani Mahama identified specific sectors for targeted FDI promotion, such as the extractive industry, digital economy, infrastructure, and agriculture.
Following the keynote speech, there was a fireside chat moderated by Mr. Joe Mensah, Senior Vice President for Kosmos Energy. During the Q&A session with H.E. John Dramani Mahama, the former President discussed strategies used to attract significant FDI during his time in office, particularly focusing on the oil and gas sector.

H.E. John Dramani Mahama highlighted the importance of streamlining bureaucratic processes and coordinating government agencies to facilitate investment. He mentioned the use of debt service escrow accounts and public-private partnerships (PPPs) to finance infrastructure projects without government funding. Additionally, the speaker explained how state-owned enterprises were incentivized to attract FDI by granting them more autonomy and access to private sector financing.

H.E. John Dramani Mahama emphasized the importance of effective governance, bureaucratic efficiency, and innovative financing mechanisms in creating a favorable investment climate.

The Executive Secretary of AmCham Ghana, Simon Madjie Esq, inquired about the government’s tardy payments to companies for goods and services, as well as the inconsistent localization policies that were jeopardizing Ghana’s attractiveness as an investment destination.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the next speaker in the Distinguished Speaker Series (DSS) on FDI.

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GCB PLC Joins AmCham Ghana as Platinum Member

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, is proud to introduce GCB Bank PLC, Africa’s most welcoming bank, offering accessible financial support wherever it’s needed through helpful service and expert solutions, as our newest Platinum Member.

GCB Bank Limited, formally known as Ghana Commercial Bank, is the largest bank in Ghana in terms of total operating assets and share of industry deposits, with 14.2% of total industry deposits.

GCB Bank PLC is Ghana’s first and largest indigenous bank with the vision to be the leading Bank in all our markets and the mission to provide first class banking solutions for customers and value for all stakeholders. This year, the Bank celebrates Seventy (70) years of providing unrivalled financial solutions towards socio-economic development of Ghana.

Established in 1953 and listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange since 1996, GCB Bank acquired selected assets and liabilities of two indigenous banks in 2017 and expanded its branch network and ATMs to over 185 and 340 respectively in its quest to continue being the most dominant player in Ghana’s banking

Welcome aboard, GCB Bank PLC!

Kezy-Banz Logistics and Investment Limited Proudly Joins AmCham Ghana as a Platinum Member.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana is delighted to announce that Kezy-Banz Logistics and Investment Limited, the industry leader in global classification services for marine and offshore assets, has joined AmCham Ghana as a Platinum Member. This prestigious membership signifies Kezy-Banz’s commitment to fostering growth, innovation, and strong partnerships within the Ghanaian business community

Kezy-Banz Logistics and Investment Limited offers a wide range of high-quality heavy equipment and haul trucks to meet the diverse needs of Ghana’s industries. From excavators and wheel loaders to articulated dump trucks, our machines are designed for performance and reliability