To commemorate the independence anniversary of the United States of America (USA) on July 4, the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Ghana has organised a special supplement to commemorate the day on the theme: “Shared Prosperity: Progress beyond COVID-19 pandemic.” As part of the supplement, the Assistant Editor of the Graphic Business, Mr Charles Benoni Okine (CBO),had a special interview with the President of AMCHAM, Ms Ayesha Bedwei (AB).

The full set of questions and answers is provided below

CBO: How has the U.S private sector assisted Ghana in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic?

AB: Private sector companies provided different forms of support to the Government of Ghana during the pandemic.

These resources included cash and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donations, the provision of pro-bono services (to organisations) and relief items to frontline workers and underprivileged communities.

CBO: How can Ghanaian companies partner with companies in the U.S private sector to foster the transfer of skills and technology?

AB: The benefits of such partnerships are not one-sided. For Ghanaian businesses, these are opportunities for skills transfer and expansion, while local companies are strategic partners who can help U.S businesses operate more effectively in the Ghanaian market.

Ghanaian companies seeking to partner with U.S companies must demonstrate transparency, integrity and flexibility to iterate their business processes as and when needed.

CBO: What is the position of U.S companies on the AfCFTA?

AB: U.S companies in Ghana fully support AfCFTA. It is an opportunity for them to expand their operations on a continental level. The elimination of the non-tariff barriers will make the continent more attractive for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

CBO: What are some of the challenges faced by U.S companies and what ways can the Government of Ghana help improve the investment climate?

AB: Aside from the usual challenges with bureaucracy, some investors believe that adherence to the sanctity of contract and consistent enforcement of policy will improve the investment climate significantly.

CBO: With the announcement of Twitter to set up its Africa operations in Ghana, what are the prospects for the local tech industry?

AB: It is exciting that Twitter has chosen Ghana as the hub of its African operations. This will create employment for many of our tech professionals and will position Ghana as the tech hub of the West African sub-region.

The local tech industry also stands to benefit from the numerous collaboration and skills development programmes that Twitter will offer.

CBO: What can be done to encourage Ghanaian businesses to take advantage of AGOA?

AB: Government, private sector stakeholders and regulatory bodies must invest in capacity building for local companies. The focus should be on producing goods that meet international standards and creating robust corporate governance structures to meet partnership requirements.

CBO: What is your message to America as the country celebrates its independence?

AB: U.S companies in Ghana and the American Chamber of Commerce extend their best wishes to the government and people of the United States of America as they celebrate their Independence Day.

CBO: Can you share some objectives for the upcoming U.S-Ghana Business Forum in September?

AB: The 2021 U.S-Ghana Business Forum scheduled for September 8 and 9 is on the theme: “Promoting U.S-Ghana Partnership through Trade and Investment.”

The forum aims to promote trade and investment partnerships in line with Ghana hosting the AfCFTA Secretariat and commencement of trading on the continent. The key sectors for discussion include technology, digitisation, energy, mining, infrastructure, manufacturing, services and franchising.

CBO: What are the prospects for two-way trade with United Airlines and Delta Airlines operating in the country?

AB: The partnership between the two airlines is a step in the right direction. This does not only improve trade and investment growth, but it is also a boost to our tourism, arts and cultural industries.

CBO: What do you make of the growing number of U.S franchises operating in Ghana?

AB: Franchising creates an opportunity for businesses in Ghana to partner with U.S franchisers to extend services to Ghanaians. The U.S companies get to expand into new markets and be globally competitive while giving Ghanaian businesses a stake in their overall market share and business growth.