AmCham Ghana Strengthens Strategic Collaboration with U.S. Embassy Leadership

AmCham Ghana held a productive high-level courtesy meeting with Rolf Olson, the U.S. Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires (CDA), and Rachel Kreissl, Commercial Counselor, as part of the Chamber’s renewed commitment to deepen U.S.–Ghana commercial ties and strengthen institutional partnerships.

Led by the Kimathi Kuenyehia AmCham Board President and attended by the CEO Doris K. Afanyedey, the meeting focused on aligning strategic priorities, enhancing collaboration mechanisms, and addressing emerging issues affecting the U.S. business community in Ghana.

Reinforcing Partnership and Shared Priorities

The Board President expressed appreciation for the Embassy’s long-standing accessibility and support to the Chamber and its members. The meeting reaffirmed that both institutions share a strong commitment to advancing U.S. business interests, championing investment, and strengthening bilateral economic cooperation.

The CDA commended AmCham’s proactive posture and welcomed deeper coordination, particularly around advocacy efforts, investor confidence, and sector disruptions that require joint engagement.

Introducing New Leadership & AmCham’s Strategic Direction

AmCham formally introduced Doris K. Afanyedey as the Chamber’s new CEO, highlighting her mandate to drive institutional renewal under the AmCham 2.0 vision.

The discussion outlined the Chamber’s refreshed strategic direction, which includes:

  • Strengthening policy advocacy
  • Expanding member value through sector dialogues
  • Enhancing visibility for U.S. companies
  • Deepening Embassy – AmCham alignment across priority sectors

The CDA expressed strong support and emphasized the Embassy’s readiness to collaborate more closely with the new leadership team.

AmCham Hosts High-Level CEO Breakfast Summit to Shape 2026 Advocacy Priorities

AmCham Ghana convened the nation’s top business leaders on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, for the annual CEO Breakfast Summit, held at the Chief of Mission Residence and hosted in partnership with the U.S. Embassy. The closed-door, invitation-only gathering brought together over 50 CEOs, Country Managers, and senior executives from leading U.S. and Ghanaian companies to deliberate on the most pressing cross-cutting challenges affecting investment, competitiveness, and business operations in Ghana.

Moderated by Mr. Joe Mensah, AmCham Board Director, the Summit served as a strategic platform for candid dialogue, peer learning, and consensus-building. Opening remarks from the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires and the AmCham Board CEO set a collaborative tone, reaffirming the shared commitment to strengthening the U.S.–Ghana commercial partnership and developing a clear and actionable advocacy roadmap for 2026.

Outcome: Prioritizing the 2026 Advocacy Agenda

During a live prioritization session, CEOs collectively ranked the most pressing issues that AmCham should champion in 2026. The outcome will form the foundation of the 2026 Member Pain-Point & Advocacy Agenda, with AmCham committing to develop detailed position papers and follow-up strategies with relevant ministries and agencies.

The Chamber also reaffirmed its intention to deepen collaboration with the U.S. Embassy’s Economic and Commercial Sections as strategic partners in addressing systemic barriers to trade and investment.

Next Steps

  • A concise post-summit report will be circulated to all participants.
  • CEO participants will be invited to join upcoming sector committees and the revamped Advocacy Committee to drive sustained engagement and impact.

The Summit forms part of the broader AmCham 2.0 Executive Leadership Series, which seeks to strengthen the Chamber’s role as the leading voice of U.S. business in Ghana while fostering a predictable, transparent, and investment-friendly environment.

 

United Airlines Inspires 258 Students at Girls in Aviation Day Ghana

On October 25, 2025, United Airlines proudly supported the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) Girls in Aviation Day in Ghana, an inspiring initiative designed to introduce young girls to the diverse opportunities within the aviation industry. A total of 258 students from Tema Senior High School, Methodist Day Senior High School, Peki Senior High School, African Science Academy, and Accra High School participated in a day of exploration, mentorship, and hands-on learning. Activities included tours of the UA Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the Air Traffic Control Tower, the GCAA Simulation Centre, and both airport terminals, paired with storytelling sessions and career insights from aviation professionals.

Many of the girls shared that the experience encouraged them to dream bigger, reconsider their future career paths, and gain confidence in pursuing roles in aviation. For some, it was their first time on an aircraft—an unforgettable moment that opened their eyes to new possibilities. In line with United’s belief that “Good Leads the Way,” the initiative reflects the airline’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of aviation leaders and building a more inclusive, diverse, and inspired aviation community. (Consent for the use of images was formally granted by GACL.)

 

 

 

 

AmCham Ghana Celebrates Official Opening of Newmont’s Ahafo North Mine

The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Ghana celebrates the historic official inauguration of Newmont Corporation’s Ahafo North Mine on Thursday, October 30th, a major milestone for the country’s economy and mining sector. Representing AmCham Ghana at the ceremony was Jane Okyere-Aduachie, Manager for Membership, External Relations, and Special Projects. The event featured distinguished guests, including Vice President H.E. Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II (Asantehene), Newmont CEO Tom Palmer, and Newmont President and COO Natascha Viljoen, hosted by the new Country Manager of Newmont Ghana, Danquah Addo Yobo.

This project, which represents a substantial US$900 million to US$1 billion investment, Newmont’s second active mine in Ghana, sends an unambiguous message to the global investment community that Ghana is a stable, premier destination for large-scale, long-term business. The Ahafo North operation is expected to produce between 275,000 and 325,000 ounces of gold annually over its lifetime.

Beyond the production numbers, the mine has already created massive social value: its development provided approximately 4,500 jobs during construction, and the operational mine now employs roughly 560 people full-time plus an additional 1,000 contractors. CEO Tom Palmer underscored this impact, stating the new operation demonstrates their commitment to “operational excellence while creating enduring value” for all stakeholders, underscoring that for Newmont, this project is fundamentally about creating opportunity and supporting sustainable growth.

 

 

AmCham Ghana Meets Acadia Industries Limited (Tampico) on Local Manufacturing & Trade Expansion

Recently, the American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana held a high-level engagement with the leadership of Acadia Industries Limited (Tampico)  as part of our ongoing Listening Tour Series, to strategically discuss support for the FMCG sector members of the Chamber.

 

The discussion centered on key figures from Interbrands: Group CEO, Mr. Fouad Moufarrej, and Lead Consultant, Aps. Dr. Ampofo-Dollar. The core agenda focused on expanding the U.S.–Ghana commercial relationship through the import of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), local manufacturing capabilities, and innovation in consumer products.

 

Discussions focused on Interbrands’ strategic plans, which includes a major commitment to deepen their U.S. partnerships and transition into local production by 2026. This initiative is underpinned by a significant investment: a new $35–50 million facility under development in Apollonia City, slated for completion by 2027. This move is particularly impactful given that Interbrands, a key importer and distributor of popular American brands such as Tampico, Ensure, Welch’s, and Macari, currently imports a substantial 70–80% of its product portfolio from the U.S.

 

AmCham Ghana is committed to spotlighting Interbrands’ remarkable progress across its initiatives and communications platforms, engaging them in forthcoming discussions, including involving them meaningfully in key upcoming events such as the CEO Roundtable and ADM showcases. We applaud Interbrands Ghana for its instrumental contribution to advancing U.S.–Ghana business partnerships and look forward to deepening our collaboration.

AmCham Ghana Engages United Airlines Leadership in Strategic Talks

Yesterday, AmCham Ghana hosted a familiarization roundtable at its offices, bringing together the Chamber’s new CEO, Ms. Doris Afanyedey, and senior leaders from United Airlines and Brussels Airlines to explore areas of collaboration and partnership.

The meeting brought together Oluwatomi Bola-Sadipe, United Airlines’ Country Manager for Nigeria, Ghana & South Africa, Matilda Hammond, Sales Account Manager, and Ilse Adriaen, Country Manager representing Brussels Airlines.

Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration and exploring areas of mutual interest, including active participation in AmCham Ghana’s programs and strategic initiatives for 2026. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening partnership through regular engagement, shared initiatives, and sustained support for AmCham’s mission to foster U.S.–Ghana business relations.

United Airlines has deepened its strategic footprint in Ghana through a measurable capacity enhancement. Effective with the 2024–2025 winter schedule, the carrier upscaled its Accra–Washington Dulles service from three weekly rotations to a daily frequency, marking a 67 percent year-on-year uplift in seat capacity and reaffirming its commitment to the trans-Atlantic corridor. The route is operated by the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, featuring a 243-seat, four-cabin configuration, comprising 28 Polaris Business, 21 Premium Plus, 36 Economy Plus, and 158 Standard Economy seats, positioning United to deliver enhanced connectivity, premium service segmentation, and operational efficiency within the West African aviation market

AmCham CEO’s listening tour to Johnson & Johnson Ghana.

As part of our Listening Tour Series, AmCham Ghana held a strategic dialogue with our member, Johnson & Johnson-Ghana (J&J) last week. The discussion hosted by Mr. Emmanuel Antwi, Country Manager- Ghana, focused on deepening collaboration to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system, with particular emphasis on prostate cancer and mental health, especially schizophrenia.

Through partnerships with the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Cancer Foundation, the University of Ghana, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, J&J continues to promote awareness, early detection of prostate cancer, and mental well-being initiatives across Ghana.

 

Additionally, AmCham indicated commitment to fostering stronger engagement between American companies and key government agencies through a US–Ghana Commercial Dialogue, aimed at enhancing healthcare system strengthening and access to innovation. This initiative aligns with AmCham’s broader mission of building partnerships that drive sustainable health impacts and support Ghana’s social and economic development.’

AmCham Meets GNBCC to Drive Joint Advocacy and Bilateral Trade

Last Tuesday, our CEO, Doris Afanyedey, led an AmCham Ghana delegation to a productive meeting with the Ghana Netherlands Business & Culture Council (GNBCC). She was joined by Jane Okyere Aduachie (Membership & External Relations) and Albert Ludwig (Communications), and the team was warmly received by GNBCC’s General Manager, Hilda Famaey, and HR & Operations Manager, Naana Biney Ohemeng.

 

The session went beyond a typical meeting, becoming a strategic working discussion on how our organizations can better serve our business community together. We examined collaborative efforts to address shared challenges such as tax certainty and enhancing trade for our members, as well as enhancing practical support for companies expanding or establishing operations in Ghana.

With the global shift from aid to trade, both sides emphasized the need to invest in high-value, fee-based services and to create smoother pathways for businesses, connecting them with the right partners to drive sustainable growth.

Breakfast Meeting with the University at Buffalo School of Management on AI in Business

Earlier today, Doris Afanyedey, Chief Executive Officer of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana (AmCham Ghana), hosted a breakfast meeting with Professor Ananth Iyer, Dean of the University at Buffalo School of Management, and Dr. Dorothy Siaw-Asamoah, Clinical Associate Professor and Faculty Director of Global Programs. The session convened AmCham Ghana members within the technology and fintech sectors, including Jason Hickey, Senior Research Scientist at Google, alongside representatives from General Electric, Global Media Alliance, eServices Africa, Yellow Card, and Oracle, for a high-level dialogue on the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in driving innovation, operational efficiency, and policy advancement.

Professor Iyer delivered a compelling presentation on the practical integration of AI across industries, anchored on a four-step framework — Extract, Integrate, Analyze, and Innovate. He demonstrated how open-source AI tools can synthesize vast datasets, reports, and multimedia content into actionable insights, streamlining research and decision-making processes. Drawing from real-world applications, he illustrated how AI can optimize productivity in sectors such as agriculture and supply chain management, referencing Ghana’s cocoa value chain and the U.S. government–funded Supply Chain Activation Network, which leverages AI to enhance collaboration between manufacturers and suppliers.

A key highlight of the engagement came from Google’s Senior Research Scientist, Jason Hickey, who announced that all students across Africa will receive free access to Google’s AI Pro platform. This initiative aims to democratize access to advanced AI resources, promote digital literacy, and empower Africa’s next generation of innovators with the skills and tools required to thrive in the evolving digital economy. The announcement was met with enthusiastic commendation from participants, who recognized its potential to accelerate Africa’s participation in global technological advancement.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Afanyedey reaffirmed AmCham Ghana’s commitment to fostering strategic partnerships between academia, industry, and government to advance AI adoption, ethical governance, and capacity development. She emphasized that AmCham will continue to serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration that enables businesses to harness emerging technologies for sustainable growth. The session concluded with a networking breakfast, generously sponsored by AmCham member KFC Ghana, providing participants with an opportunity to further engage and exchange ideas on collaborative pathways toward a digitally empowered future.

AmCham Ghana Hosts U.S. Institutional Investors for High-Level Dialogues in Accra

AmCham Ghana, in a strategic co-convening capacity with the Institutional Investor Network (IIN), last Wednesday facilitated a high-conviction delegation of U.S.-based institutional Limited Partners (LPs) for a series of granular, closed-door dialogues in Accra. The session was architected to de-risk and catalyze capital allocation into Ghana’s project pipeline, with a strategic focus on the critical minerals value chain and the structuring of bankable, ESG-compliant opportunities.

The convening assembled a cross-functional cohort of public sector stakeholders, General Partners (GPs), and corporates to perform a deep-dive on Ghana’s gold sector reform trajectory and to leverage its nascent downstream processing capabilities, thereby positioning the jurisdiction as a strategic enabler of the global energy transition and tech infrastructure build-out.

Core Vertical Focus and Market Positioning

The discourse was characterized by its focus on alpha generation and strategic market entry. A primary vertical was the critical minerals and technology nexus, where speakers underscored Ghana’s role in the strategic materials supply chain, essential for semiconductor fabrication, energy storage solutions, and compute infrastructure. Mr. Richmond, CEO of Energy Resources Company, provided a granular analysis of the gold sector, emphasizing the significant arbitrage opportunity presented by formalizing the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) segment and creating vertically integrated local champions to capture more of the value-at-stake.

A parallel session on domestic capital mobilization conducted a forensic examination of Ghana’s pension and insurance asset base. The dialogue centered on tactical asset allocation (TAA) shifts, advocating for a strategic overlay to increase weightings in alternatives and listed equities, contingent upon regulatory modernization. The concept of creating multi-jurisdiction, securitized vehicles and exploring asset tokenization was tabled as a mechanism to achieve the requisite scale and liquidity for global capital deployment. A core tension identified was the capacity-policy misalignment, with a call to action for upskilling trustee boards on private market valuation and monitoring, concurrent with a liberalization of offshore remittance limits and concentration thresholds to optimize the efficient frontier for local institutional investors.

Execution Framework and Forward Integration

The forum was explicitly designed as a springboard for capital formation and deal origination. AmCham Ghana is now operationalizing the outputs through a multi-pronged execution framework. This involves the systematic synthesis of key takeaways into an investable opportunity brief, followed by active facilitation of bespoke commercial diplomacy between aligned LPs, GPs, and project sponsors, including coordinating technical site due diligence and regulatory interface. The Chamber will further leverage its convening power to drive sector-specific working groups focused on derisking capital stacks for critical minerals beneficiation and structuring blended finance vehicles to crowd-in domestic pension capital.

The proceedings culminated in a curated investor dinner, fostering high-value, peer-level engagement to translate commercial intent into binding term sheets.

The overarching market signal emanating from the dialogue is that Ghana represents a compelling strategic allocation for investors seeking non-correlated, value-add exposure in a reform-oriented, transparent jurisdiction poised for exponential growth.

For proprietary deal flow access or to engage with the working groups, please contact the AmCham Ghana Secretariat.