Ghana, under the leadership of its Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, is actively courting Japanese businesses and global investors, presenting itself as a prime investment destination in Africa. Speaking at the Ghana Business and Investment Forum during the Osaka Expo 2025, Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare articulated Ghana’s ambitious economic transformation agenda, emphasizing a shift from reliance on raw materials towards value addition, industrial diversification, and enhanced regional competitiveness. This strategic direction positions Ghana as a crucial access point to the vast 1.4 billion consumer market facilitated by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Minister highlighted the country’s strong fundamentals, including macroeconomic stability, a resilient democratic framework, and strategic access to this burgeoning free trade zone as key attractions for investors.
Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare underscored Ghana’s commitment to creating a conducive business environment and fostering growth through targeted government initiatives. The “Feed the Industry” program aims to strengthen the linkage between agriculture and manufacturing, promoting local sourcing and value addition. The “Accelerated Export Development Programme” focuses on enhancing the competitiveness of Ghanaian products in the global market, while the “National Apprenticeship and Skills Development Programme” aims to equip the workforce with the technical skills needed for modern industries. These initiatives, coupled with business regulatory reforms and the launch of the Unified Business Portal – a streamlined platform for business registration and compliance – demonstrate the government’s commitment to facilitating ease of doing business and attracting foreign investment.
Furthermore, the Minister identified specific sectors ripe for collaboration with Japan, including agro-processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, textiles and apparel, automotive and electric mobility, and green industries. These sectors align with Ghana’s development priorities and present opportunities for Japanese businesses to leverage their expertise and technology to contribute to Ghana’s economic growth. The emphasis is not merely on attracting capital inflow, but on fostering long-term partnerships built on innovation, trust, and shared prosperity. This approach signifies a move towards collaborative ventures that generate mutual benefits for both Ghana and its investment partners.
Ghana’s appeal to investors extends beyond its domestic market. Its strategic location within the AfCFTA framework provides access to a continental market with a burgeoning consumer base. This access offers significant growth potential for businesses seeking to expand their reach and tap into the diverse opportunities presented by the African market. The government’s commitment to improving the business environment further strengthens Ghana’s position as a desirable investment destination within the AfCFTA.
The Minister emphasized that Ghana is not merely seeking investment for its own sake, but rather seeking partners who share a vision of sustainable development and mutual benefit. This approach underscores the country’s desire to forge strong, long-lasting relationships with investors, fostering collaboration that goes beyond financial transactions to encompass knowledge transfer, technology exchange, and shared growth. This emphasis on partnership reflects a forward-looking approach to investment, aimed at creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem for both Ghana and its international partners.
In essence, Ghana’s message to Japanese businesses and global investors is clear: the country offers a stable, democratic environment with a growing economy, a skilled workforce in development, and strategic access to a vast continental market. The government’s commitment to streamlining business processes and fostering innovation, coupled with its focus on key growth sectors, creates a compelling case for investment. Ghana is not merely seeking capital injection, but partners who share its vision of sustainable development and are committed to building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. This approach aims to elevate Ghana’s longstanding relationship with Japan to a new level of industrial and strategic cooperation, driving shared prosperity and contributing to Africa’s economic transformation.
