U.S. State of Illinois 2024 Trade Mission to Ghana

From March 10 to 13, 2024, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana, hosted delegates from the U.S. State of Illinois for a transformative two-day event. This event comprised a focused business-to-business networking session and a prestigious reception with Chamber members, both designed to forge meaningful connections and foster collaboration between U.S. and Ghanaian enterprises.

The intensive business-to-business networking session served as a platform for delegates to engage directly with local businesses, exchange ideas, and explore potential partnership opportunities. Through facilitated discussions and interactive sessions, participants delved into key sectors such as technology, healthcare, real estate, and personal care products, uncovering synergies and laying the groundwork for future collaborations.

Moreover, the reception with Chamber members provided an exclusive opportunity for delegates to interact with influential stakeholders within the Ghanaian business community. Attendees had the chance to network with industry leaders, government officials, and representatives from various sectors, enhancing mutual understanding and building trust between U.S. and Ghanaian entities.

Click the link to watch: https://bit.ly/3IQ03dq

This initiative not only facilitated business matchmaking but also facilitated knowledge exchange and capacity building. Delegates from Illinois shared insights on best practices, market trends, and regulatory frameworks, while also gaining valuable insights into the unique business environment of Ghana. Such exchanges of expertise and experience are invaluable for fostering long-term partnerships and driving sustainable economic growth.

Furthermore, the collaborative efforts of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana underscore the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing economic development initiatives. By leveraging the strengths and resources of both governments and the private sector, these partnerships can catalyze innovation, facilitate investment, and create opportunities for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

As Africa’s e-commerce market continues to evolve and expand, events like these play a crucial role in connecting businesses and unlocking new opportunities for growth. By fostering dialogue, fostering collaboration, and fostering partnerships, we can build a brighter future for all stakeholders in the global economy.

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SelectUSA Investment Breakfast Briefing 2024

The SelectUSA Investment Breakfast Briefing was organized by the US Embassy in Ghana and the American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, on Tuesday March 5 aimed to promote investment opportunities in the United States to Ghanaian entrepreneurs and businesses.

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AmCham Ghana Welcome Reception

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, on Thursday, February 7, 2024, hosted members for the 2024 Welcome Reception at the Chamber’s secretariat in Accra.

This annual networking event provides a platform for members to establish new connections, unwind, and engage in discussions concerning potential business prospects for the forthcoming year. It offers a unique opportunity for attendees to network, socialize, and expand their professional horizons.

The event is designed to foster a conducive environment where participants can interact with other industry professionals and create new business relationships.

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AmCham Ghana Holds Consultative Meeting on Restrictions on Importation of Selected Strategic Products

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, on Friday, January 26, 2024, held a consultative meeting with Member companies at the Chamber’s secretariate to ascertain the impact the proposed Export and Import (Restriction on the Importation of Selected Strategic Products) Regulation, 2023, will have on their businesses.

According to the government of Ghana, this regulation aims to establish an import-permitting regime that can be used as a mechanism to regulate the quantities or volumes of Selected Strategic Products that would be allowed to be imported into the country.

The regulation aims to protect local manufacturers from undue competition from subsidized imported products and create a market opportunity to support their growth and sustainability. However, the regulation will pose challenges to the ease of doing business.

For instance, as a result of the kind of products listed for restriction, the new regulation could significantly impact the cost of operations for some companies as these products serve as raw materials. The new regulation could also cause undue delays that affect the operations of local companies.

This consultative engagement aimed to create a unified stance by AmCham Ghana on the proposed legislation, in addition to individual inputs submitted via the government portal.

AmCham Ghana And The University At Buffalo School Of Management To Collaborate On Research And Development

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, had an engagement with the Faculty Director, Global Programs, and Director of the Center for Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness at the University at Buffalo School of Management (UB), Dorothy Siaw-Asamoah, Ph.D., at the secretariate.

Professor Siaw-Asamoah, accompanied by a delegation of students who are part of their Annual Ghana Trip, met with Simon Madjie, the Executive Secretary of the Chamber, to discuss potential collaboration between the University and the Chamber’s AfCFTA Resource Center. This discourse focused on research projects related to the new continental trade agreement aimed at providing American companies with valuable information and guidance to leverage the AfCFTA and invest in the African continent.

There were also discussions on highlighting the positive impact of American companies on the Ghanaian economy while simultaneously working to correct misconceptions regarding local agricultural practices, thereby facilitating an environment for increased American investment in Ghana.

The Chamber has always hosted visiting students and faculty from the University at Buffalo, and in the interest of advancing education and strengthening technological cooperation between Ghana and the United States, the two organizations seek to further strengthen this partnership to enhance the existing relationship, recognizing the mutual benefits that will be derived from this cooperation.

Also present at the meeting was AmCham Ghana Manager for Membership, External Relations and Project, Jane Okyere-Aduachie.

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About AmCham Ghana

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, is the representative arm of U.S. businesses and subsidiaries voluntarily working to create an environment where business can thrive between Ghanaian and American communities.

AmCham promotes commercial, economic, educational, and cultural ties between the United States of America and the Republic of Ghana.

 

About the University at Buffalo

The University at Buffalo School of Management is to discover and deepen our understanding of management concepts and applications that drive effective organizations and use them to produce principled and insightful leaders who create positive change in the world.

Season’s Greetings from the Executive Secretary

All too soon, we have come to the end of the year. Although challenging, there were positive moments that we can dwell on while we anticipate a more prosperous new year.

AmCham Ghana expresses gratitude for the blessings, support, and contributions of all members and associates. These efforts were instrumental in helping us navigate through challenging periods and bring to the forefront the various issues faced by businesses in Ghana. Your support has been vital in our quest to leverage the mutually beneficial trade relations between Ghana and the United States to advance trade and investment for prosperity and growth.

The Chamber successfully hosted several events this year, notably the maiden U.S. Ghana Business Expo, which hosted over 800 participants, including the U.S. Department of Commerce-led Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) trade delegation that included 19 companies and six trade associations, and provided a platform for fostering bilateral trade collaborations and economic growth between the United States and Ghana.

We also hosted Ghana’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Kobina T. Hammond, for a luncheon engagement with the Mayor of Houston and his Trade Delegation, as well as hosted a reception in honor of the Trade Delegation from Memphis. We also had an interaction 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 American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, collaborated with sister organizations to deepen our advocacy efforts at ensuring constant foreign direct investment inflows and improved ease of doing business. These collaborations included our joint event with Prosper Africa and the Corporate Council on “Africa on Leveraging Afreximbank Programs to Expand U.S. Trade and Investment with Africa,” held on the sidelines of the Afreximbank Annual General Meeting in Accra.

We also joined forces with the U.S. Embassy in Ghana to host the AI Forum at the Google AI Research Center to discuss the latest developments in the industry, research, and policy surrounding artificial intelligence.

AmCham Ghana teamed up with member companies and associates, such as Johnson & Johnson, the  AfCFTA Secretariat, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ghana, and the Canada Ghana Chamber of Commerce, to provide networking opportunities for Member companies, advocate for improved mental health care, and to discuss financing investments under the AfCFTA Protocols on Investment and Digital Trade.

I also took an active part in the deliberations at the newly instituted Mutual Prosperity Dialogue hosted under the auspices of Ghana’s Ministry of Finance aimed at understanding the most pressing needs of companies and identifying the constraints that must be addressed to enable the private sector to drive growth.

AmCham Ghana has been vocal on issues of regulation. We advocated for fairness in the implementation of various government policies. The Chamber issued a statement on the recently passed Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill 2022, calling on the government to consider the impact some of the proposed measures will have on the cost of production, distribution, and sale of products. We also backed AGI’s call on the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to end discrimination in water tariffs.

The Chamber, through the Consultative Meeting of Bilateral Chambers of Commerce, also drew the government’s attention to some issues that threaten the country’s position as a leading and favorable destination for business and investment.

The AmCham Ghana AfCFTA Resource Center also hosted its maiden training session on “Expanding into African Markets” to provide Members with valuable insights into the different aspects of the agreement, enabling them to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the new free trade agreement.

We also bid farewell to our immediate past President, Ayesha Bedwei-Ibe, Vice-President Pakwo Shum, Treasurer, Adiki Ayitevie, and Two Board Members, Doris Afanyedey and Sulemana Abubakar. The Chamber appreciates your unwavering commitment and service.

As the old executives departed, the Chamber was honored to welcome the newly appointed executives, including 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.

The Chamber would like to express our sincere gratitude to all member companies who supported and sponsored our various events and activities. We thank all participants, speakers, and stakeholders for their valuable contributions and insights. We are most grateful for your collaboration and look forward to more opportunities to work together.

As the year comes to an end, the American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana wishes all its members, associates, and their families a joyful season.

Kimathi Kuenyehia Appointed As AmCham Ghana President

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Kimathi Kuenyehia as the new President of the Chamber and Mr. David Thornton as the new Vice President.

Mr. Kuenyehia succeeds Mrs.  Ayesha Bedwei Ibe who served as the President of the Chamber since 2019.

Kimathi Kuenyehia is a Harvard-educated, dual-qualified New York and Ghanaian lawyer who is regarded as one of the best and most gifted lawyers around. Highly regarded as an extraordinary strategist, Kimathi is the Managing Partner of the litigation, arbitration, and transaction powerhouse firm Kimathi & Partners in Ghana.

A director at Google Ghana, he helps Fortune 500 companies, global multinationals, and G20 Countries with their most challenging legal issues, most significant business transactions, and most critical disputes. Kimathi has a remarkable record of solving problems, closing deals, and winning disputes.

His recent work includes advising the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a United States foreign aid agency established by the U.S. Congress on the implementation of the US$498.2 Million grant to the Government of Ghana; Google’s large-scale metro-fiber telecom project in Ghana; and acted as Co-Counsel in an international arbitration for a power contractor to win an UNCITRAL award worth over US$134 million against the Ghana Government.

A competitive squash player who “thinks outside the box”, Kimathi is a Young Global Leader, which is a prestigious honor bestowed by the World Economic Forum on him in recognition of his “professional accomplishments, commitment to society, and potential to contribute to shaping the world through inspiring leadership”.

A passionate supporter of charitable causes he previously won the prestigious International Bar Association Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year Award for his ‘professional excellence, innovative approach to legal practice, community service and reputation for the advancement of legal ethics’.

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, is confident that Kimathi will build on the stellar achievements of past Presidents to further the interests of businesses and leverage the thriving trade relations between Ghana and the United States for growth and prosperity.

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.

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