Implications of the AfCFTA Investment Protocol for Business in the Continent

AmCham Ghana, under the auspices of the AmCham Ghana AfCFTA Resource Center, hosted ,

The principal objective of this Protocol is to support the objectives of the AfCFTA as set out in Articles 3 and 4 of the Agreement, to promote, facilitate and protect investments that foster sustainable development of State Parties, establish a transparent and sound continental legal framework on investment, taking into account the interests of State Parties, investors and local communities, provide security and predictability in the prevention and management of investment disputes, create a level playing field for African investors, and promote and enhance common positions and cooperation on matters related to investment promotion, facilitation and protection.

According to Patience Okala, the Protocol is the new forward-looking framework for investment regulation on the African continent. It presents itself as the platform for meeting the profit expectations of investors as well as the sustainable development aspirations of African countries.

This Protocol defines the rights and obligations of State Parties and investors and applies to State Parties, as defined in Article 1(v) of the Agreement, and to investors and investments as defined in Article 1 of this Protocol, as well as all investments made before or after the entry into force of the Protocol but shall not apply to any investment dispute that arose or any claim that was settled before the entry into force of the Protocol. Learn more.

 

AmCham Ghana Welcomes New President and Board Members

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, at the 20th Annual General Meeting of Members on Thursday, November 30, 2023, approved the appointment of a new President, Vice, Treasurer, and Board Members.

The appointees who will proceed to serve as new executives of the Chamber include President – Kimathi Kuenyehia, Vice-President – David Thornton, Treasurer – Bethel Yeboah, Board Member – Mark Appiah, Board Member – Nii Koi Kotey, Board Member – Eloina Baddoo, and Board Member – Clara Amarteifio.

Jobberman Ghana To Place 60 Young Women in Tech Jobs by 2024

Jobberman Ghana has announced that by March 2024, the business seeks to place 60 young women with a STEM background in tech and tech-enabled jobs in Ghana.

According to the CEO of Jobberman Ghana, Hilda Nimo Tieku, the job placement forms part of the M-FIT Project which seeks to bridge the gender gap in the tech space, which is a collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) within the framework of Invest for Jobs.

Speaking at the just-ended executive roundtable event dubbed; “Diversity and Inclusion; Empowering Young in Tech”, she explained: “ This project was purposely designed to empower and equip young women with Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) backgrounds with essential soft skills, making them employable in the tech space.

Since the launch of the project, a total of 1840 applications were received from young women between the ages of 18 and 35 from across the country. 76.29% of these applicants have a first degree in various STEM fields, 17.64% with a Higher National Diploma, and 6.07% with a master’s degree. Read more

Resense Spa at Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra Adjudged Ghana’s Best Spa in World Spa Awards 2023

The Resense Spa, located at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra, Ghana’s premier five-star luxury hotel, has been awarded ‘Ghana’s Best Hotel Spa’ for the fourth year running at the ninth edition of the annual World Spa Awards for 2023. The prestigious global initiative celebrates and rewards excellence in spa and wellness tourism with votes cast by industry professionals, the media, and the general public.

The four-time award-winning Resense Spa features a 3,000-sq m wellness and fitness sanctuary – one of the largest spa centers in the city – spans three floors and is well known for its traditional European treatments and state-of-the-art facilities. It features male and female wellness areas with a sauna, steam room, and whirlpool baths, ten treatment rooms, an authentic hammam, and a relaxation lounge. The spa also has a Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Salon located on the second floor, adjacent to its Spa Café, which offers healthy dining options for all guests. For fitness lovers, the spa features an infinity swimming pool, tennis court, yoga studio, and a well-equipped gymnasium with gym instructors on hand to assist guests with tailored workout routines dedicated to ensuring the wellness of the mind, body, and soul.

General Manager Hanno Barkhoff expressed his honor and pride in receiving these awards, recognizing them as significant testimonies to the outstanding performances of staff in their efforts to make the guests’ experience wholesome and memorable. He maintained that the spa was committed to enhancing the high level of service, as they have launched new product offerings and therapies for the ultimate wellness of guests.

2023 AmCham Ghana Thanksgiving Dinner and Awards Night

On Saturday, November 18, the Chamber hosted the 2023 edition of the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Awards Night on the theme, “U.S. and Ghana Diaspora, Agents of Development and Prosperity.”

This year’s event featured remarks from H.E. Virginia Plamer, United States Ambassador to Ghana, and the Founder and President of Ashesi University, Patrick Awuah. The Chamber also used the opportunity to acknowledge and bid farewell to outgoing executives, including the President, Ayesha Bedwei Ibe, Vice President, Pakwo Shum, Treasure Adiki Ayitevie, and Board Members Doris Afanyedey and Sulemana Abubakar, for their dedicated service and invaluable contributions.

Companies and individuals that have contributed in diverse ways to the development of the Chamber and the advancement of economic relations between Ghana and the United States were also recognized.

 

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All The Awardees | 2023 AmCham Ghana Thanksgiving Dinner and Awards Night

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana on Saturday, November 18, 2023, host the 2023 AmCham Ghana Thanksgiving Dinner and Awards Night at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra under the theme, “U.S. and Ghana Diaspora, Agents of Development and Prosperity.”

AmCham Ghana hosts this annual event to commemorate the traditional American Thanksgiving Holiday, provide a networking opportunity for member companies, and express appreciation to individuals and companies that contributed to the development of the Chamber and the advancement of economic relations between Ghana and the United States.

The 2023 awardees are;

Outstanding U.S Businesses in Ghana 2023

Delta Air Lines

Kosmos Energy

Cargill

Best Participating Member 2023

Acadia Industries Limited
Sewia Mining Limited

 

2023 U.S. Ghana Business Expo Sponsors and Partners

Delta Air Lines
Kosmos Energy
Avis Ghana
Cargill Ghana
Allstar Insurance Brokers
Foreign Commercial Service
Dode Seidu
Alfred Nartey
Johnnie Hughes
Charles Nixon Yeboah

Yayra Amedzro
Louis Kwame Sakyiamah (Lexis Bill)
Image Point Limited
Agrihouse Foundation
Graphic Business
Norvan Reports
So Fraiche
Tv3 Ghana
3FM
Joy Business

 

2023 AmCham Ghana Thanksgiving Dinner and Awards Night Sponsors

PwC Ghana
Kosmos Energy
Kimathi and Partners – Corporate Attorneys
United Airlines

AmCham Ghana Engages President And Board Chair Of U.S. EXIM Bank

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, under the auspices of the U.S. Embassy in Accra, on Monday, October 30, 2023, had an engagement with the President and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Reta Jo Lewis, for a discussion on financing options and the current state of the business climate.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is the official export credit agency of the United States. EXIM is an independent Executive Branch agency with a mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating the export of U.S. goods and services.

Reta Jo Lewis noted that the United States views Ghana as a reliable partner for development and intends to expand engagements to drive growth. She noted that the Bank has had a long relationship with the country and the continent at large, and its continued presence reaffirms EXIM and the United States’ commitment to maintaining relations with Ghana.

The engagement explored ways the Bank can assist companies with resources and technical support to leverage opportunities such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act to drive exports.

Discussions also focussed on exchanging best practices to properly position local firms to be compliant to improve the ease of doing business with the United States.

Backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, EXIM assumes credit and country risks that the private sector is unable or unwilling to accept. The agency’s charter requires that all transactions it authorizes demonstrate a reasonable assurance of repayment; EXIM consistently maintains a low default rate and closely monitors credit and other risks in its portfolio.

EXIM officials present at the meeting also noted that contrary to popular notion, the Bank does not only finance big-ticket projects and companies but serves businesses of sizes, including small and medium-scale entities.

This meeting was attended by AmCham Ghana Board member Kimathi Kuenyehia, Executive Secretary Simon Madjie, Manager for Membership and External Relations, Jane Okyere-Aduachie, representative from the U.S. embassy in Ghana, including DCM Rolf Olson, Commercial Counselor Dean Matlack, Jillian Foerster, Paa Ekow Quansah.

Also present was Nana Osei Bonsu, PEF CEO and Board Member of Ghana EXIM, representatives from AmCham Ghana member companies, and some executives from the U.S. EXIM, including Hazeen Ashby, Acting Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff, Christopher Organ, Confidential Assistant, and Dan Tobin, Managing Director.

Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra and Breast Care International ‘Walk for the Cure’

Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra, in partnership with Breast Care International – Ghana (BCI), embarked on a sensitization exercise on breast cancer dubbed ‘Walk for the Cure’. The eleventh edition of BCI Ghana’s annual walk was held under the theme, ‘Breaking Myth, Fighting for the Cure’ at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).

The health walk saw thousands of advocates and stakeholders, including breast cancer survivors, take to the streets of Central Accra for a five-kilometer walk that began at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle and ended at the forecourt of the AMA. The participants educated the citizenry, individual traders, and shoppers alike on the importance of regular screening which enables early detection and prompt action, as well as the impact of breast cancer on individuals and their families.

A grand durbar followed on the grounds of the AMA, where participants were inspired by the stories of some breast cancer survivors and entertained by live music performances and parades. Dr. Beatrice Addai Wiafe, founder and president of BCI Ghana, expressed her gratitude to the management and staff of the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra for their continued support in the fight against breast cancer.

“We are very proud to continue as partners of BCI and are honored to be a part of this wonderful initiative,” said Mr. Hanno Barkhoff, General Manager of the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra. “Through BE Health, our flagship corporate social responsibility initiative, we have launched several campaigns to raise awareness on breast cancer and we are truly grateful for the opportunity to join this noble cause which will go a long way to make a positive impact in the lives of those affected by the disease.”

The health walk forms part of a series of initiatives the hotel is undertaking to support BCI through its BE Health initiative. Since March this year, the hotel has committed to sponsoring a number of healthcare professionals as they attain oncology training, as well as supporting the treatments of patients affected by breast cancer. Hotel guests can also make a difference by donating GHS 15 (1 Euro) with every night stay at the hotel or with every purchase of the new ‘BE Health Elixir’ cocktail launched this October.

AmCham Reception In Honor Of Trade Delegation From Memphis

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, hosted the Building Bridges to Africa trade mission from Memphis, Tennessee, USA, for a reception at the Chamber’s secretariat to afford members the opportunity to interact with the visiting delegation.

The Building Bridges to Africa trade mission aims to boost trade and foster economic growth by creating business connections, promoting knowledge exchange, and enhancing cultural understanding.

The delegation consists of business owners and leaders from different sectors, such as Energy (Bulk Fuel Distribution, Energy Innovation, Process Improvement, Fuel Supply Chain Management), Legal (Contracts and Litigation, Entertainment Law Representation, Criminal Defense), Logistics and Transportation (Freight Transport, Freight Management, Warehousing, Freight Innovation), and Economic Development (Women-focused Investments, Capitalization, Entrepreneurial Support, Financial Literacy).

The event served as an interactive networking platform and presented an excellent opportunity for Members to meet businesspeople from various sectors, establish new relationships, and explore possible partnerships and collaborations.

The reception was refreshed by Coca-Cola, Voltic, and Tampico.

Jobberman Ghana Celebrates 11 Years of Transforming Careers and Empowering Lives in Ghana

It’s a remarkable milestone for Jobberman Ghana as we celebrate 11 years of unwavering commitment to reshaping the job market and empowering job seekers and employers across Ghana. 

A Journey of Impact 

Over the past 11 years, Jobberman Ghana has left an indelible mark on the job market landscape. We’ve transformed countless lives, provided hope to job seekers, and enabled employers to find the perfect match for their organizations for business growth. 

With our vision to be Africa’s solution to bridging the talent gap, our journey has been marked by the following forces. 

  1. Empowering Job Seekers

We’ve been on a mission to empower job seekers of all backgrounds and skill levels. Through our platform, individuals have found their dream jobs, received expert career advice, and honed their skills for success.  

  1. Supporting Employers

We’ve partnered with organizations big and small to help them identify and onboard top talent. Our innovative solutions have streamlined the hiring process, saving time and resources. 

  1. Innovating for the Future

We’ve never rested on our laurels. We’ve continually adapted to the changing job market, introducing new features and tools to enhance the job-seeking and recruitment experience. We introduced the new ‘Relevance Ranking’ feature that uses an in-built matching score to rank applicants according to their relevance to the job description, so you can see the best-qualified applicants right at the top of the list! 

 

We also added a ‘Recommended Candidates’ feature that suggests ten (10) candidates that match the role published on the Jobberman platform which allows employers to invite qualified individuals to apply. 

This has given employers better access to a pool of qualified candidates and the added value of leveraging our database for highly qualified candidates outside of those who have seen a job ad.  

Giving employers the ability to connect with your ideal candidates right from the get-go! 

  1. Partnership with GIZ

Currently, Jobberman Ghana is collaborating with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) within the framework of Invest for Jobs to deliver the M-Fit Project. 

To bridge the gender gap in the technology sector, this project is designed to empower and equip young women with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) backgrounds with essential soft skills, making them employable in the tech space.  

Overall, a total number of 100 females between the ages of 18 and 35 will be trained and 60 of these young ones placed in permanent tech or tech-enabled roles in Ghana by March 2024. 

A Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion 

Diversity and inclusion have been at the core of our values. We believe that talent knows no boundaries, and everyone deserves a chance to shine. Our commitment to these principles has been unwavering, and we’re proud to have played a role in fostering diversity in the workplace. 

What Sets Us Apart? 

  • A Vast Network: Our extensive database of job seekers and employers is unparalleled, offering opportunities that span every industry and sector. Thus, upward to a future of matchmaking. 
  • Innovative Solutions: Our platform has evolved to include features like skills assessments, professional development resources, and personalized job recommendations. 
  • A Passionate Team: Behind every success story is a dedicated team committed to making a difference in the lives of job seekers and employers. 

 

The Future Beckons 

As we celebrate our 11th anniversary, we’re not just looking back at what we’ve achieved but forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. We remain committed to our vision of connecting talent with opportunity and creating a brighter future for job seekers and employers in Ghana.  

To our valued employers, partners, and the entire Jobberman Ghana community, thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.  

Here’s to the next 11 years of transforming careers and empowering lives!