US Tasks Ghana

The United States (US) Ambassador to Ghana, Pamela Bridgewater has tasked government to continuously ensure the vibrancy of the Ghanaian economy and explore a well-functioning internal and external trade markets in order to lift the nation to new heights.

The Ambassador made this remark during a ceremony to welcome a trade delegation from her country to Ghana in Accra yesterday.

“Your efforts at ensuring a vibrant economy and a proper functioning internal and external trade markets are an affirmation of ingenuity, integrity and creativity in business,” she stressed.

In addition to the official party, the delegation led by US Assistant Secretary of the Commerce Department, Israel Hernandez, is also made up of 12 US companies seeking agents, distributors or partners in the country.

The delegation includes companies from a wide variety of industries, including design, telecommunications, law, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, packaging and design.

The 12 companies are American Plastics Technologies, Crestcom International, Edwards Angell Palmer and Dodge, FEECO International, Green Energy Solution Technologies, Hybas International, Intertrade, Lockheed Martin, Praxis Med International, SSC Medical Instrumentations and Technology Solutions for Africa.

Ambassador Bridgewater added that the coming to Ghana of the trade delegation was part of President John Agyekum Kufour's call for American businesses to invest in the economy and help accelerate the growth of the private sector.

“Private companies represent the broadening scope of business-to-business relationships between Ghana and US firms and thus the exchanges and synergies arising from this trade mission will certainly boost opportunities in the trade of goods and services between the two nations,” she added.

The Ambassador commended government for employing measures to alleviate poverty, enhance education and business promotion.

On infrastructure development, she noted, “We see government making progress in developing the enabling infrastructure to make trade happen. this includes projects such as port development, building of roads, and the planned cold storage facility at the airport”.

Israel Hernandez, Assistant Secretary, said, “I am pleased to bring some of the best and most innovative US companies on this mission to Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa,” adding, “These countries represent some of the fastest-growing economies on the African continent, offering a range of opportunities for US firms in the areas of high tech, energy, infrastructure, and consumer goods”.

He stressed that a well streamlined two-way trade was the best way to help boost economies and support economic prosperity at home and abroad.

By Patrick Ampong-Baidoo