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Ghanaians in the Netherlands Urged to Explore Agricultural Investment Opportunities in Ghana
Ghanaians living in the Netherlands have been encouraged to take advantage of emerging investment opportunities in Ghana’s agricultural sector as part of broader efforts to support national development and contribute to the government’s proposed 24-Hour Economy Policy.
The call seeks to mobilise diaspora participation in expanding key sectors of the Ghanaian economy through innovation, job creation, and enhanced productivity.
Delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of GhanaFest Europe: Live in Holland Trade & Cultural Expo, held from 3rd to 5th December 2025 at the Amare Convention Centre in The Hague, Ambassador Francis D. Kotia, Acting Coordinating Director for Multilateral and International Organisations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration and immediate past Ambassador of Ghana to the Netherlands, emphasised the strategic role of agriculture in Ghana’s economic transformation agenda.
Ambassador Kotia noted that the government’s 24-Hour Economy Policy—designed to stimulate round-the-clock economic activity, expand employment, and boost competitiveness—places renewed emphasis on agriculture and agribusiness as pivotal growth pillars.
He encouraged the Ghanaian diaspora community to channel their expertise, financial resources, and technological exposure into ventures that can strengthen Ghana’s agricultural value chains.
He highlighted that the Ghanaian diaspora in Europe continues to make significant contributions to both the Ghanaian and European economies through entrepreneurship, investment, and cultural exchange. According to him, Ghanaians living in the Netherlands and across Europe have acquired valuable skills and technological insights that could drive transformative change if strategically applied within Ghana.
Ambassador Kotia further urged Ghanaian-owned businesses in Europe to leverage platforms like GhanaFest Europe to showcase their products and services, initiate partnerships, and explore the growing opportunities for collaboration between Ghana and the Netherlands.
GhanaFest Europe is a three-day festival curated to promote trade, exhibit Ghanaian products and services, and celebrate Ghana’s rich cultural and traditional heritage.
Organised by RAM Media Concepts in partnership with the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GNCCI) and in collaboration with the Representative Council of Ghanaian Organisations in the Netherlands (RECOGIN), the maiden edition attracted businesses from a broad range of sectors including fintech, construction, real estate, pharmaceuticals, import and export, and general entrepreneurship.
The event—which received strong endorsements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration, Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), the Ghana Embassy in the Netherlands, and the Ghana Netherlands Business & Culture Council (GNBCC)—featured three key components:
Business Networking & Conference: A platform designed to foster engagement between Ghanaian and Dutch businesses, explore partnerships, and exchange market insights.
Trade Exhibition: An opportunity for Ghanaian SMEs and established enterprises to showcase authentic Ghanaian products to the Dutch and wider European markets.
Durbar of Chiefs: A colourful celebration of Ghana’s vibrant cultural and traditional heritage, presented through royal displays, music, and performance arts.
In his remarks, Mr. Augustine Mark, Chief Executive Officer of RAM Media Concepts, underscored that GhanaFest Europe is “not just another event, but a strategic crusade to project Ghanaian products, services, culture and traditions—as well as the nation’s rich heritage—onto the global stage.”
He emphasised that the Expo aims to attract investors, boost tourism, expand market access for Ghanaian businesses, and deepen economic cooperation between Ghana and Europe.
The family of Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, a distinguished statesman and diplomat, has paid a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama. They officially informed him of his passing.
The delegation, representing the Gbeho family, noted that it was culturally and diplomatically important to formally notify the President of the loss before making a public announcement of his death.
Ambassador Gbeho was a towering figure in Ghanaian and international politics. He served in many diplomatic missions, including New York. He was Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, a Member of Parliament for the Anlo constituency, and President (formerly Executive Secretary) of the ECOWAS Commission.
He was widely respected for his role in regional integration and his contributions to global diplomacy at the United Nations.
President Mahama expressed his condolences and shared reflections on Ambassador Gbeho’s contributions to the country, West Africa and the world.
Funeral details will be announced later.
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has revoked all firearm permits in Ghana with immediate effect and announced a new registration process for all gun owners.
The minister made the announcement on Tuesday, June 23, at the information service department saying all individuals who currently hold licences to own firearms or sidearms must undergo a fresh registration process.
“From this afternoon, all permits that have been granted to any individual that you are holding a sidearm or firearm is hereby revoked,” Mr Muntaka said.
He explained that the government had identified gaps in the country’s firearm registration system and needed to introduce stricter measures to improve public safety.
“We are opening the window where everyone will have to come forward again to register or re-register the gun because we’ve changed the procedure,” he stated.
According to him, the government decided not to wait until the end of the year to make the changes because lives could still be saved within the next six months.
The Interior Minister said one of the new requirements would be mandatory mental health screening for applicants seeking firearm licences.
“We’ve seen that people with mental health have already gone through and have the sidearm. Now we are introducing mental health. Before we give you the sidearm, we have to be sure that you have the mental stability to hold the firearms,” he said.
Mr Muntaka also announced that applicants would be required to undergo drug tests before being granted licences.
“We’ve also realised that people who are on drugs are also holding their arms and they are legitimate because it’s been registered. Now you have to go through drug tests to be sure that you are not on drugs before you can hold sidearms,” he added.
The minister said the new measures form part of efforts by the government to tighten firearm control and prevent legally registered weapons from falling into the wrong hands.
He urged all firearm owners to cooperate with the new registration process once details of the exercise are announced.
By: Jacob Aggrey
