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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Award Winners At The 2022 AmCham Ghana Thanksgiving And Awards Night

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, at the recently held 2022 Thanksgiving Cocktail and Awards Night at the Labadi Beach Hotel on Saturday, November 19, 2022, awarded outstanding member companies for their various roles in promoting trade and investment between Ghana and the United States.

The awards for Outstanding U.S. Businesses in Ghana were presented to Masco Foods Limited (KFC Ghana), Appolonia City, and Delta Air Lines (Aviation Alliance Limited GSA). The 2022 award for Best Participating Member went to ePac Flexible Packaging Ghana Limited.

The Chamber also presented Certificates of Appreciation to member companies that have sponsored various AmCham Ghana events, including the AmCham Ghana Business Forum and the Thanksgiving and Awards Night. The Certificates of Appreciation went to Delta Air Lines (Aviation Alliance Limited GSA), Kosmos Energy Ghana HC, Cummins Ghana Limited, PwC Ghana Limited, Tampico (Interbrands Ghana Limited), Stanbic Bank Ghana Limited, Cargill Ghana Limited and Voltic Ghana Limited.

TechnipFMC also received a Certificate of Appreciation for excellence in the development and promotion of local content in the oil and gas sector of Ghana.

In recognition of their contribution to the promotion of AmCham Ghana activities, the Chamber presented Graphic Business and the Multimedia Group Certificates of Appreciation.

AmCham Ghana 30th Anniversary Celebration / Thanksgiving Dinner and Awards Night

The American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana on Saturday, November 23, 2019, held its 30th Anniversary Celebration / Thanksgiving Dinner and Awards Night. The event was to climax the year-long 30th-anniversary celebration and also commemorate the American national holiday of Thanksgiving.

The event had in attendance Senior Government Officials, including the Guest of Honor, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon. Carlos Ahenkorah, Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Hon. Cynthia Morrison, and former Minister for Finance, Hon. Seth Terkper,  the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan and other Heads of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana. Also in attendance were corporate executives from the American business community, former AmCham Ghana Presidents and executives, members of the Chamber, and other associates.

The Guest of Honor, Hon. Carlos Ahenkorah, during his remarks, commended AmCham Ghana for promoting trade and investment between Ghana and the United States and connecting businesses across the continent for 30 years. “Indeed, fostering these partnerships requires extensive commitment and a genuine sense of excellence that transcends normal business practices,” he added.

The Minister also touched on the “Year of Return, Ghana 2019” program, which was launched by the President of Ghana in Washington DC in September of 2019. According to the Minister, the Ministry of Trade and Industry cannot ignore the economic significance of the program as they champion intra-African trade by hosting the Secretariat of the AfCFTA. He said, “Indeed, it is a known fact returnees have contributed enormously to the rapid development of the Asian Tigers such as Korea, Japan, and China.”

“This was done through a conscious effort to provide a business environment that is welcoming, facilitating, and of international standards. We believe these are important for the business assimilation of returnees and offer a myriad of opportunities,” he added.

Given this, the Ministry is implementing a ten-point industrial transformation agenda with business regulatory reforms to improve the ease of doing business in the country.

Hon. Carlos Ahenkorah said the Ministry is supporting private sector promoters to develop Industrial Parks and Social Economic Zones around the country to provide dedicated land space with energy, water, and telecommunications facilities for the establishment of manufacturing industries. This is expected to solve problems related to the acquisition of industrial land in the country.

The Minister joined the outgoing President of the Chamber, Joe Mensah, the Former Presidents and Executives of the Chamber, the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan, the Senior Director for West & Central Africa at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Africa Business Center, Dr. Guevera Yao, and the Headline Sponsors of the event to cut the special 30th-anniversary cake.

30th Anniversary and Thanksgiving Awards

The Chamber seized the opportunity to honor the contributions of Former Presidents and Executives of the Chamber, Members, Staff, and associates.

Ladi Nylander, AmCham Ghana Founding President; Victoria Cooper-Enchia, Former AmCham Ghana President;  William Ohrt, Former AmCham Ghana President;  Mona Boyd, Former AmCham Ghana President; Philippe Ayivor, Former AmCham Ghana President; Joe Mensah, Former AmCham Ghana President; Felix Addo, Former AmCham Ghana Vice President; Nick Kyei Baffour, Active Former Vice President; Herbert Morrison, Founding Member; Theresa Aba Conduah, First Executive Secretary of AmCham Ghana; Doris Afanyedey, Past Treasurer & Longest Serving Treasurer of the Chamber; Simon Madjie, 10 Years of Service to the Chamber;  Akua Oye-Akufo, Longest-Serving Staff at the Chamber; U.S. Embassy in Ghana, Most Strategic Partner Throughout this 30-Year Period; Newmont Goldcorp Ghana, Longest Serving Member of the Chamber; PwC Ghana, Longest Serving Member of the Chamber; Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana Limited, Longest Serving Member of the Chamber, and NCR Ghana Limited, Longest Serving Member of the Chamber, were all presented with a special Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC.

The Outgoing President of the Chamber, Joe Mensah, was presented with a Leadership Achievement Award for his exemplary leadership throughout his four-year tenure and his immense contribution to the promotion of trade and cultural ties between Ghana and the United States.

Plaques of Appreciation were presented to our Headline Sponsors; Kimathi & Partners and Newmont Goldcorp Corporation, our Gold Sponsor; ExxonMobil E&P Ghana (Deepwater) Limited, Silver Sponsor; JLD & MB Legal Consultancy, and Delta Air Line Ghana and GoldLine Mining Ghana Limited for supporting the AmCham 30th Anniversary Celebration / Thanksgiving Dinner and Awards Night. 

Dode Seidu was also presented with a Special Recognition award for his support and contributions to the Chamber’s development.

AmCham Best Member Award 2019

The Best AmCham Ghana member award for 2019 went to ExxonMobil E&P Ghana (Deepwater) Limited for their consistent participation in AmCham Ghana activities throughout the year. ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. ExxonMobil Exploration & Production Ghana (Deepwater) Limited acquired rights in 2018 to explore the ultra-deepwater block Deepwater Cape Three Points.

ExxonMobil holds 80% interest in the Deepwater Cape Three Point block.

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AmCham Ghana Holds 2018 Thanksgiving Dinner Event

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana on Saturday, November 17, 2018, held the 2018 AmCham Ghana Thanksgiving Dinner Event at the Lababi Beach Hotel. This year’s event was under the theme; ‘When diplomacy meets business: Strengthening US-Ghana relations to unlock business opportunities.’
The dinner was attended by leaders of the American and Ghanaian business community, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Charles Owiredu, who represented the sector minister. Also present was the Chargé D’affaires (Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ghana), H.E Christopher J. Lamora, AmCham Ghana President, Joe Mensah, Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Alan John Kyerematen, Heads of Mission and other Officials of U.S. Mission to Ghana, and a section of AmCham Ghana Members.

The dinner event is held annually to commemorate the American National Thanksgiving Day, network and raise funds for a charity cause. President of the Chamber, Mr. Joe Mensah during his remarks recounted some activities that took place during the year. He mentioned the hosting of a delegation from the U.S. Senate, the visit by U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, and some of the many other events hosted by the Chamber.

“I think we are being recognized as a Chamber to reckon with,” He added whiles thanking Members and all dignitaries present for the support they have rendered the Chamber over the years.

Chargé D’affaires at the U.S. Ghana Embassy, Christopher J. Lamora during his remarks acknowledged the importance of trade and commerce in strengthening bilateral relations between Ghana and the United States of America.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Reginal Integration, Hon. Charles Owiredu ‏whiles delivering a speech on behalf of the sector minister acknowledged the long-standing bilateral relations between Ghana and the United States.

“The economic relations between our two countries have been robust, characterized by several business ventures and exchanges, mostly within the private sector,” the Deputy Minister said.

He also said that the Government is taking all necessary measures to boost the activities of businesses through the creation of an enabling environment with the introduction of appropriate legal and other incentives regimes, which he said are already producing results.

The Chamber used the ceremony to recognize the contributions of some individuals and Members that have helped the chamber in diverse ways in the year 2018.

The Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon. Alan John Kyerematen was adjudged the Most Outstanding Ghanaian Government Official, for the exemplary support and contribution to the development and promotion of Trade and Investment between Ghana and the United States of America. Jayne Howell, Consular Section Chief, was adjudged the Most Outstanding U.S. Government Official for introducing reforms to facilitate and promote business between the Republic of Ghana and the United States of America.

This year’s Best Member Awards went to Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, Kosmos Energy Ghana HC, Consolidated Shipping Agencies Limited (CONSHIP), Enterprise Group Limited, and Rendeavour (Appolonia Devt. Company Limited).  Kimathi and Partners were also presented with an award of appreciation for being the headline sponsor of the AmCham Ghana Thanksgiving Dinner Event for the second consecutive year.

The Assistant Editor of the Graphic Business, Mr. Charles Benoni Okine, was also recognized for his continuous support in championing the course of AmCham Ghana to the benefit of Ghanaian and Unites States’ businesses in the country in the year under review.

Hon. Alan Kyerematen in his acceptance remarks assured Ghanaians and the investor community of the intentions of the government to use this year’s budget statement to strongly revive activities within the economy. He said after using the first two budgets since 2017 to stabilize the economy and place it on the right footing, it was time for a takeoff, adding that “this will happen this year for all to see.”

For a charity cause, the Chamber offered financial support to two charity foundations, an amount of GH¢50,000 was donated to United Way Ghana, a foundation that is providing literacy for young people in inner cities of the country.

Additional GH¢10,000 was also donated to the St. Bakhita Foundations, an orphanage which takes care of vulnerable children, especially females, and provide them with the basic needs to be enrolled in school.

The 2018 AmCham Ghana Thanksgiving Dinner Event was sponsored by Kimathi and Partner (Headline Sponsors), with support from Delta Air Lines, who provided a Business Class Ticket for auction and a photo booth provided by TopDog  Africa.

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AmCham Holds 2017 Thanksgiving and Charity Ball

Finance Minister, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta reiterated the 2018 budget and explained some key components at the 2017 AmCham Ghana Thanksgiving dinner and charity ball held at the banquet hall of the state house in Accra, on 17th November 2017.

The minister was the guest speaker at the event and he touched on the ‘One district, One factory’ policy of the new government. He said the government looks forward in partnering with organizations like AmCham and its Members in implementing this policy.

Hon. Ofori-Atta also stated some measures instituted by the new administration to stabilize the economy to create a business friendly environment. Some of these measures he said included the abolishment of 17.5 percent VAT/NHIL on Financial Services, Excise duty on Petroleum and the replacement of 17.5 percent standard rate with a 3 percent flat VAT/NHIL rate for supplies by retailers and wholesalers.

“To ensure irreversibility of the stability we have achieved, we are implementing structural measures to tackle some of the long-term structural issues.” The minister added.

Prior to the minister’s speech, Ambassador Robert P. Jackson gave a much light toned speech. He started with a brief history on Thanksgiving. “I am sure most of us are familiar with the story we associate with the first Thanksgiving: back in the year 1621, the pilgrim settlers to America gathered with the Native Americans at Plymouth Plantation to celebrate their bountiful harvest.”

The Ambassador went on to share some fact about Thanksgiving. He began with the fact that even though Thanksgiving started in 1621, it didn’t become an annual, national holiday until the 1860s.  He also expressed Americans love for turkey and said their first diplomat, Benjamin Franklin, liked turkey even more than most Americans.

Ambassador Jackson’s speech wasn’t all about turkey; he talked about Thanksgiving also doubling as a period of reflection. “Tonight is a time of fellowship with each other, but it is also time to consider how we can give back to the community and make a positive difference in the lives of Ghanaian citizens.” He added.

He said he admire the work of American companies are doing in Ghana, and that their innovative, high quality goods and services that they provide are highly valued by the Ghanaian market. The Ambassador went on to say “it is interesting how, over time, American companies have evolved their philosophy about what it means to be a “good” business. It is much more than just an entity that makes profit.”

“I am proud to represent the United States and U.S. companies here in Ghana as your ambassador.” He added.

The events also doubled as the 20th anniversary since the Chamber was officially launched, and the first president of the Chamber was present.  Before presenting awards to some staff that have been with the Chamber since its insertion, he told a story of the launching of Chamber, an event which had the then President FLt Jerry John Rawlings as a special guest.

 

The current president of the chamber, Mr. Joe Mansah also shared a story on how the embassy helped him setup IBM in Ghana, and encouraged American business who a yet to join Chamber to do so. “Come be part of our organization and let’s drive the agenda together.” Mr. Mensah urged.

Some outstanding Menders were also awarded with certificates of appreciation for the various roles they have played in advancing the agendas of the Chamber. The president and the Ambassador honorably presented these awards to Ayesha Bedwei from PwC, Edward William Wiafe of Landsar Developer and Nii Amanor Dodoo of KPMG. Kimathi Partners were also presented a plaque of appreciation for being the headline sponsor of the Thanksgiving event.

It was a night of glitz, good music, good food, champagne and wine, but the less fortunate was not left out. There was an art auctioning and Delta Airlines ticket sales with proceeds going to support a local charity.  This year’s Thanksgiving event can be described as a success and the Chamber hopes to repeat it, and of course upon it with the help of its Members.

From the president, Mr. Joe Mensah, “The future is bright, we just have to do things right.”

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