AmCham – USDA Dinner Reception | AmCham Ghana Hosts Deputy Secretary For United States Department Of Agriculture

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, hosted a dinner in honor of Stephen Censky, Deputy Secretary for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and his business delegation who are in Ghana for a three-day (October 28-31, 2019), trade mission seeking to unlock new export opportunities in West African as part of the U.S. Government’s Prosper Africa initiative, which seeks to strengthen commercial ties and foster fair and reciprocal trade with African countries.

The dinner had in attendance the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan; President of AmCham Ghana, Joe Mensah; a delegation of businesses from the U.S.; staff of the USDA and U.S. Embassy in Accra as well as members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana.

Mr. Joe Mensah, President of AmCham, welcomed Mr. Censky and the business delegation, highlighting the important role of agriculture to Ghana’s development, citing renewed efforts by the Government of Ghana to invest in the sector.

Mr. Censky, in his remarks, expressed his gratitude to AmCham for hosting the USDA delegation. He noted that West Africa- and Ghana in particular- is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world and presents trade opportunities for American businesses. He stated that AmCham plays an important role in working to ensure that trade and investment policies of the Government of Ghana facilitate trade and development. He added that the United States is interested in the economic development of Ghana as well as in facilitating trade relations which are mutually beneficial to both countries.

Ambassador Sullivan,  commended AmCham for its strong partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, in facilitating business for American companies and promoting strong investment as well as world-class environmental, labor and ethical standards in the business environment in Ghana.

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AmCham Ghana President Meets Pamela Ward, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs & Regional Commercial Officer Sub-Saharan Africa

AmCham Ghana President, Joe Mensah, met with Pamela Ward, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs & Regional Commercial Officer Sub-Saharan Africa.

They discussed improving America’s involvement in the development of Ghana and means to further improve direct trade between the two nations by making it easier for traders and supplier to source directly from the United States.

Also discussed at the meeting was making investing in Ghana attractive to the diaspora.  According to Joe Mensah, the diaspora must get involved. “We all need to engage, and when we find something wrong, we all find means to solve it.” He added.

The President of the chamber also shared with Pamela Ward,  some of the chamber’s advocacy activities aimed at policy formulation and change to improve the business climate in Ghana.

Pamela Ward has over twenty years of experience supporting U.S. business in international markets as a Foreign Commercial Officer for the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Also present at the meeting were AmCham Ghana Executive Secretary, Simon Madjie, and Hannah Kamenetsky, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy Accra.

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AmCham Ghana Hosts Governor Of Mississippi, Phil Bryant For A Dinner Reception

The Chamber on August 15, 2019, hosted the visiting Governor of Mississippi, Phil Bryant and his trade delegation for a Dinner Reception in Accra. The event was to allow the Governor to meet with AmCham Ghana Executives and business leaders for a discussion on possible business collaborations.

Governor Bryant is in Ghana to expand and promote trade and investment opportunities between Mississippi and Ghana. During his remarks, he said, a lot of investors based in Mississipi are interested in doing business in Ghana, the reason for which he is in the country to build an economic and investment bridge to facilitate future trade.

AmCham Ghana President, Joe Mensah, welcomed the Governor and his delegation. He shared with them some activities that the Chamber was engaged in and assured the Governor that Ghana is the best place to do business on the continent.

The Governor also visited AmCham member, Strategic Security Systems Limited, a solar panel assembly plant in Kpone in the Greater Accra Region, where he saw first-hand the positive effects of U.S. Government’s engagement in facilitating bilateral trade and investment ties under the Power Africa program through the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

 

 

Also present at the event were, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Ghana Embassy, Christopher J. Lamora, USAID Ghana Deputy Chief of Mission, Steven E. Hendrix, Consular Section Chief at the U.S. Ghana Embassy, Jayne Howell, and other Mission officers.

 

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AmCham Ghana Hosts Ian Steff, Asst. Secretary for Global Markets & Director General of U.S Commercial Service

On Thursday, November 8, 2018, AmCham Ghana under the auspices of the U.S. Commercial Service, Ghana, hosted a dinner with Ian Steff, Asst. Secretary for Global Markets & Director General of U.S Commercial Service. The event was at the Accra Marriott Hotel.

Ian Steff is in Ghana to follow up on the MoU signed between United States President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business In Africa (PAC-DBIA) and the Government of Ghana in July 2018. He is in to have further talks with the Ghanaian Government on the implementation of the MoU.

In his remarks, Ian Steff stated that there is a lot of optimism among U.S. companies and investors are impressed with the new reforms being implemented by the Ghanaian government. The question now, he said is “how these reforms will take the deal to the finish line.”  He called for certainty on these reforms.

“No one company, no one individual can solve the issues we have. We need to dialogue,” Ian Steff added. He said there needs to be consensus in strengthening trade relations between Ghana and the United States.

Ian Steff also commended the Chamber and stakeholders involved in organizing the maiden AmCham U.S – Ghana Business Forum in July 2018, stating the importance of these face-to-face meetings and their relevance to improving the investment environment and further strengthening trade relations between the two countries.

According to EY Global’s 2018 Africa Attractiveness report, United States businesses and investors made more foreign direct investments (FDI) in Africa than counterparts from any other country last year. Overall, African countries saw FDI number rise by 6% to 718 projects up from the previous year’s 676.

U.S. companies are interested in investing in Ghana, according to Ian Steff; U.S. investors have expressed interest in the areas of health, energy, agriculture, transportation, and other vital sectors. He stated that the United States’ commitment to Ghana is for the long term. He also called for honest conversations on trade barriers.

H.E Christopher J. Lamora, Chargé D’affaires (Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ghana), stated in his remarks that the embassy is ready and willing to work with stakeholders to promote U.S. trade in Africa, project the positive aspects of Ghana and why investors should invest in the country.

H.E Lamora also said the embassy is positioning itself to be the go to place for investors seeking to invest in the country.

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