Country Report To Chart Increasing Levels Of Investor Confidence As IMF Acknowledges Reform Progress

Accra, April 29, 2019: A forthcoming report by the global research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG) will shine a spotlight on the projects which are expected to be instrumental in boosting activity across key sectors of the economy.

The Report: Ghana 2020 will analyse the part that initiatives such as Planting for Food and Jobs, and One District One Factory should play in supporting the country’s agriculture and manufacturing industries.

Other topics earmarked for coverage include the impact that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement is expected to have across the region on cross-border trade flows.

OBG’s report will also consider the steps that Ghana is taking to address the challenges it faces, which range from high levels of public debt to a falling cedi that remains problematic for importers.

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has signed a further memorandum of understanding (MoU) with OBG for its forthcoming publication. Under the MoU, the organisation’s representatives will help OBG to produce The Report: Ghana 2020.

Seth Twum-Akwaboah, CEO, AGI, said he looked forward to working with OBG’s team in Ghana once again to track the country’s latest economic developments and analyse their significance for business leaders.

“While the challenges Ghana faces shouldn’t be underestimated, the country’s growth story continues, driven forward largely by the hydrocarbons industry, but with other segments of the economy also ripe for expansion,” he said. “Oxford Business Group enjoys a reputation here as a provider of accurate and reliable data which investors regularly access to make informed decisions. I look forward to working with its team on the ground as they begin the next phase of their research at what is expected to be a pivotal time for Ghana.”

Welcoming AGI on board, OBG’s Regional Editor for Africa, Souhir Mzali said news that the IMF would be disbursing the last tranche of the Extended Credit Facility awarded to Ghana after carrying out the seventh and eighth reviews should support the country’s efforts to attract new investment.

“The fact that Ghana’s latest Eurobond issuance was heavily oversubscribed indicates that investor confidence is already increasing, while recognition from the IMF that difficult reforms have been implemented and significant macroeconomic gains achieved should help to further boost inflows,” she said. “The Association of Ghana Industries represents well over 1000 enterprises of varying sizes operating locally from across the economic sectors. I’m thrilled that our researchers and ultimately our readers will once again benefit from its understanding and local knowledge of Ghana’s business scene.”

The Report: Ghana 2020 will mark the culmination of more than 12 months of field research by a team of analysts from Oxford Business Group. It will be a vital guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking, and other sectoral developments.

The publication will also contain contributions from leading personalities. It will be produced with the AGI, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, PwC and Stanlib. The report will be available online and in print.

About Oxford Business Group

Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a global research and consultancy company with a presence in over 30 countries, from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia to the Americas. A distinctive and respected provider of on-the-ground intelligence on over 30 of the world’s fastest growing markets for sound investment opportunities and business decisions.

Through its range of products - Economic News and Views, OBG Business Barometer - CEO Survey, OBG Events and Conferences, Global Platform - exclusive video interviews, The Report publications - and its Consultancy division, OBG offers a comprehensive and accurate analysis of macroeconomic and sectoral developments.

OBG provides business intelligence to its subscribers through multiple platforms, including its direct 6 million verified subscribers, Dow Jones Factiva subscribers, the Bloomberg Professional Services’ subscribers, Refinitiv’s (previously Thomson Reuters) Eikon subscribers, and more.