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First-ever Ghana International Expo and Investment Forum ends in Nigeria
The inaugural Ghana International Expo and Investment Forum (GIEIF 2025), a landmark initiative by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Judimedia Consult, has ended in Lagos, Nigeria.
The four-day event, brought together business leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators from across West Africa and beyond, to explore trade, tourism, and investment opportunities while strengthening regional cooperation.
It was on the theme: “Unlocking investment potential through Intra-African trade and tourism.”
Mrs Maame Efua Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer, GTA, in an interview with the media, described the event as a strategic milestone in Ghana’s push to deepen economic integration and position itself as a regional hub for commerce and responsible tourism.
She said, “In hosting this landmark event, we took a bold step toward fostering regional integration and global partnership. Our presence in the commercial heart of Nigeria underscored our commitment to strengthening the vital economic and cultural ties between our nations and across West Africa.”
She said the forum featured two main components: an international exhibition showcasing products and services from Ghanaian and West African enterprises, and a high-level investment forum, which included two days of panel discussions with ministers, CEOs, policy experts, and global investors.
According to Mrs. Houadjeto, the event serve as a “strategic manifestation” of her vision to position Ghana not only as a world-class travel destination but as a holistic platform for innovation, commerce, and connection.
“In collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we leveraged Ghana’s diplomatic network to bring the world to West Africa’s doorstep. GIEIF 2025 became a global platform for dialogue on tourism, investment, and trade,” she said.
The discussions and exhibitions focused on bankable opportunities across key sectors, including Agribusiness, Trade, Technology, Tourism, Energy, and Manufacturing.
Special attention was given to the roles of Ghana and Nigeria as economic drivers within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), offering access to a combined market of over 1.3 billion people.
A major cultural highlight of the event was the “Culture Exchange Explosion,” which celebrated the rich heritage and traditions of both Ghana and Nigeria through music, cuisine, fashion, and performance, offering participants an immersive networking environment.
“This initiative was more than just an event; it was a catalyst for sustainable development and a call to action for investors, entrepreneurs, and leaders to build lasting partnerships,” Mrs. Houadjeto noted.
She expressed appreciation to the governments and ministries of both Ghana and Nigeria, and to all stakeholders who contributed to the event’s success.
“On behalf of our organizing consortium, and the good people of Ghana and Nigeria, we thank everyone who participated. Let us carry the momentum forward by building the partnerships, investments, and innovations that will drive our shared future,” she said.
The CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority expressed her deepest and profound appreciation to the exhibitors sponsored by the management of Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA).
She also expressed gratitude to the GTA officials who took hold of the opportunity to market and promote Ghana as a unique tourism destination to Nigerians and other nationals.
The GIEIF 2025 was created as a premier trade and investment platform to promote Ghana’s indigenous products, services, and opportunities to an international audience.
The forum aimed to connect entrepreneurs, producers, and investors to drive intra-African trade, strengthen cross-border cooperation, and position Ghana as a key economic player in the region.
Supporting institutions included Ghana’s Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Ghana’s Consulate in Lagos, Ghana Enterprises Agency, Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Diaspora Affairs (Office of the President), Ghanaian Community in Lagos, Tour Operators Union of Ghana, Kasapreko Co. Ltd., and Africa World Airlines.
Nigerian partners such as the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture, NASSME, NASSI,
NAFDAC, Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, and representatives from Africa Movie Awards also played key roles.
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
