AHK GHANA’S LUNCH MEETING WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Ghana (AHK Ghana), in collaboration with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), organized a lunch meeting with the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. The event took place on Thursday, 30th March 2017 at the Labadi Beach Hotel with the theme: “Deepening Economic Ties Between Ghana & The International Community: Dialogue with German Enterprises on The Business Climate in Ghana”.
Key decision makers involved in bilateral trade between Ghana and Germany, as well as dignitaries from the international community, met with H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to discuss government initiatives and regulations that directly affect their businesses. It was also an occasion to discuss the role of the private sector in collaborating with government to promote economic growth.
The effect of the current structure of the Local Content Bill was the most pressing issue voiced out by the participating business representatives. H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia stated that government would work assiduously to resolve concerns raised by the business communities regarding the Local Content Bill. He noted that if the Local Content policies were encouraging importation rather than manufacturing, then they are achieving the opposite of its objectives.
Other issues discussed include the steps being taken to address the policy directive on renewal of company certificate biennially at GIPC, reducing the extent of human element in port processes to increase efficiency and accountability, reducing cost of doing business in Ghana, land ownership issues and high electricity tariffs among others.
The German Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Christoph Retzlaff, emphasised the need to harness the appropriate synergy between Ghana and Germany. One of such steps is the invitation from the German Chancellor, H.E. Angela Merkel, to H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for a conference on possible compact between the G-20 and selected African Countries in June 2017.
In His closing remarks, H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia indicated that H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo holds the German model of vocational training in high esteem and thus, it will be used as a role model. In response, the Delegate of German Industry and Commerce in Ghana (AHK Ghana), Mr. Maximilian Butek ensured the Ghanaian government of the willingness of the German institutions to assist and collaborate with government in the area of vocational training for the formalized sector.
