Ghana is set to receive a wave of investment from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following the official visit of Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to the Gulf nation.
Mr Ablakwa, during the two-day working visit, engaged in high-level meetings with senior UAE government officials and key industry leaders, securing concrete commitments from Emirati companies to invest in Ghana’s priority sectors.
Mr Ablakwa was received by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE.
The Ghanaian minister also held strategic discussions with key UAE officials including Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State; Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs; and ministers responsible for foreign trade and investment.
The investment drive, a central part of the Minister’s mission, aligns with President John Mahama’s economic recovery agenda themed “Ghana is Open for Business Again.”
The UAE private sector expressed keen interest in Ghana’s emerging opportunities, particularly in renewable energy, artificial intelligence, education, healthcare, aviation, and defense.
Several UAE companies are expected in Ghana within the coming weeks to begin due diligence and initiate projects, marking a significant post-visit development.
The delegation’s interest in renewable energy comes at a time when Ghana is diversifying its energy mix to improve reliability and sustainability.
Mr Ablakwa, in a social media post, noted that discussions touched on the development of Ghana’s aviation sector.
In a major boost for youth employment, the Minister disclosed that agreements were reached in principle to facilitate large-scale labour export to the UAE.
This initiative is expected to create thousands of jobs for skilled Ghanaian workers in various fields.
The implementation is contingent on the finalization of the ongoing Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries.
The Foreign Minister described the outcome of the visit as a “milestone in Ghana’s international economic diplomacy,” and thanked the UAE government and Ghana’s diplomatic team for their support in securing the investment pledges.
The post-visit engagements will now focus on fast-tracking investment frameworks and ensuring a smooth entry for UAE businesses into the Ghanaian market.
GNA