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President Akufo-Addo Invites Chinese Investors To Join Ghana’s Economic Transformation
At the China-Ghana Business Forum in Shenzhen, China, on September 7, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made a compelling case for increased Chinese investment in Ghana.
Speaking to a gathering of Chinese business leaders, the President emphasized the longstanding relationship between Ghana and China, as well as the tremendous investment opportunities Ghana offers in sectors ranging from manufacturing to agriculture and green energy.
President Akufo-Addo opened his address with a Chinese proverb, “If you want to walk far, walk with someone,” symbolizing Ghana’s desire to walk hand-in-hand with China on the path to long-term economic progress. He highlighted Ghana’s determination to learn from China’s success story and its commitment to deepening ties with China’s business community to ensure mutual prosperity.
The President emphasized the strong trade relations between Ghana and China, noting that China has been Ghana’s largest trading partner since 2015. In 2023, trade between the two nations reached $9.23 billion. He commended Chinese companies for their continued investment in key sectors such as construction, energy, agriculture, and ICT, and he attributed China’s growing presence in Ghana to the West African country’s stability, security, and welcoming investment environment.
Reflecting on the global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, President Akufo-Addo pointed out that these events have exposed structural weaknesses across Africa.
He urged the business community to partner with Ghana to create resilient, climate-conscious, and diversified economies that can withstand future global shocks.
According to him, international cooperation will be essential in building economies that thrive despite global disruptions.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted Ghana’s progress under his administration, citing his government’s efforts to foster a business-friendly environment since assuming office in 2017. He noted that Ghana’s economy grew rapidly between 2017 and 2020, with an average annual GDP growth rate of 7%.
Despite the economic setbacks caused by the pandemic and geopolitical challenges, the President expressed optimism that Ghana is once again on a path of robust economic growth.
The President’s remarks also highlighted his government’s ambitious Ghana CARES ‘Obaatampa’ Programme, a comprehensive economic revitalization plan aimed at addressing the challenges caused by the pandemic.
The programme seeks to inject significant investments into key sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, housing, and healthcare. The initiative requires private sector participation, and President Akufo-Addo invited Chinese businesses to contribute to this effort, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in rebuilding the Ghanaian economy.
In his address, President Akufo-Addo showcased a range of government programs designed to boost industrialization and economic development. These included the “Planting for Food and Jobs” initiative, the development of Ghana’s nascent automotive sector, and efforts to build integrated bauxite and iron industries. These initiatives, he explained, are part of Ghana’s broader strategy to transition from an exporter of raw materials to a value-added, industrialized economy.
The President also spoke about Ghana’s unique position as the host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Accra. He pointed out that this continental trade agreement offers immense opportunities for businesses to access African markets, positioning Ghana as a strategic hub for regional trade and investment.
“We are leveraging the AfCFTA to become a new commercial capital of Africa,” the President declared, highlighting the potential for Ghana to serve as a gateway to the continent.
In closing, President Akufo-Addo reiterated that Ghana is an ideal destination for Chinese investment. With a stable regulatory environment, favorable fiscal policies, and abundant natural resources, the country offers unparalleled opportunities for businesses looking to expand into Africa.
He urged Chinese investors to seize the moment, stressing that Ghana’s doors are open and its markets are ready to support meaningful partnerships.
With a renewed commitment to fostering strong ties between Ghana and China, President Akufo-Addo expressed optimism about the future, noting that deeper collaboration between the two countries will create shared prosperity for their people.
“Let us seize this moment to forge stronger ties, build lasting partnerships, and create shared prosperity for the people of Ghana and China,” the President concluded, extending his gratitude to the Chinese business community for their continued interest in Ghana.
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister for Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, has praised engineers and technical teams working to restore electricity after a fire at the Akosombo Substation disrupted power supply.
He said this after visiting the facility on Monday night to assess ongoing repair works following the incident, which affected the control room and caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts of power to the national grid.
During the visit, he interacted with engineers and technicians who have been working continuously under difficult conditions to restore operations.
He said he was impressed by their dedication, courage, and professionalism despite the challenges.
The minister commended the teams for their resilience and sacrifice, noting that their efforts reflect a strong sense of duty and commitment to national service.
He assured them of the government’s full support as they continue with the restoration work.
He also assured the public that authorities are doing everything possible to restore stable electricity supply as soon as possible.
By: Jacob Aggrey
