Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC), Yofi Grant has called for concerted efforts in dealing with issues of insecurity in the country to make Ghana more attractive to investors.
He urged the Ghanaians to support the security agencies to address security problems that have the tendency of affecting investor confidence.
Mr. Grant, who was responding to a question from journalists in Kumasi on the impact of the recent kidnappings on investors confidence, said such matters must be of concern to all Ghanaian since they pose threats to the business environment.
The GIPC CEO, who is a special guest of honour at the World –Meets-In-Ghana Investors’ Forum and Executive Dinner Ball in Kumasi, seized the opportunity to engage journalists on steps the outfit was taking to persuade more investors to Ghana.
About 20 cases of kidnapping have been recorded in 2019 alone with that of the three Takoradi girls being the most discussed in Ghana.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently said he is determined to address the growing phenomenon of kidnapping and ensure the crime does not become a characteristic of the Ghanaian society.
Speaking at the media engagement, Mr. Grant said the security services were working tirelessly to address such security lapses and needed to be supported to end the worrying trend.
“If there is a kidnapping in Ghana, Ghanaians are also being kidnapped. Is a problem for us? So we need to look after each other, we need to also support the security services because sometimes they are over-stretched. You can’t have a police officer everywhere, but they are people everywhere. If you see things going on that are not right, you should be able to stand up and say No! as a country we don’t want that”, he advised
The GIPC is reviewing its operations to make the institution more efficient and to bring in the right investors to Ghana.
The promotion agency is also focusing on sustainable partnerships between foreign direct investors and indigenous businesses.
The CEO said investment should not be seen as an activity, but a relationship and partnership that will open global linkages for Ghanaian businesses.
Ashanti important part of investment opportunities in Ghana
Mr. Grant said the Ashanti Region has a lot of investment opportunities considering the natural and industrial resources the region has been gifted with.
He cited gold, iron ore, lithium and Agriculture as areas where investors can find more opportunities when they come into the region.
He added that the region will contribute greatly to the realization of one of Government’s flagships program, One District, One Factory (1D1F).
The GIPC CEO said the World –Meets-In-Ghana Investors’ Forum will expose foreign investors to such investment opportunities in the region.
The Executive Dinner Ball and the forum will attract about 750 participants from across the globe.
The Executive Dinner Ball is basically to commemorate the 20thanniversary and honour his contribution to the development of the Asante kingdom and Ghana.