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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.
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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