A Ghanaian initiative in a new World Economic Order

The term ?New World Economic Order? used in certain circles today simply refers to the fact that the old established ways of doing business around the world have dramatically changed particularly since the end of communism. World interest is now focused on countries with established democracies, good governance, political, economic and corporate governance, who show a genuine interest in capacity building, regional and international co-operation and have sustainable peace and security.

Simone & Luke Butler have a vision for Ghana to show the World an African way out of our socio-economic problems, with initiatives that shall be 100% funded from the private sector, for sustainable projects to add over $10 Billion a year to the Ghanaian economy, generating at least $1.04 Billion a year in VAT revenue and providing 1,000,000 direct and indirect jobs.

We provide more information in a background briefing and overview document describing the Afra Initiative

To realize these goals, the Government of Ghana is invited to provide an active, facilitating role, to enable the businesses to move forwards swiftly and effectively ? in line with the announced ?Golden Age of Business? vision.

The Afra Initiative is our tangible expression of AU and NEPAD policies. Our expertise and know how in the airline sector, tourism, agriculture infrastructure and transportation fits within NEPAD?s recommended zones of focus.

A similar environment, more than two decades ago, allowed countries like Malaysia to be where they are today when the first new world economic order since the end of Second World War was created through the policy of d?tente with Eastern Europe and in the aftermath of the 1973 OPEC cartel?s actions. Malaysia has 45,000,000 tourists per year.

In the same way, Ghana today represents an acceptable model on good governance and democracy. The Government has announced its genuine desire to engage in capacity building, demonstrates a credible commitment to international and regional co-operation and integration. The Government also provides a peaceful, relatively secure environment for business and economic activity to flourish. The country largely benefits today from debt relief and poverty reduction strategies.

It is vital that Ghana pro-actively creates the right environment to attract and retain well-adapted viable international skills and partnerships with bold and significant single development efforts to drive its economy forwards. We see the establishment of the Afra Group of Companies as the perfect partnership tool and catalyst to assist in stimulating the economy of the African Continent and of Ghana in particular.

Afra?s efforts can then also in turn extensively

• Impact on Ghana?s Gross Domestic Product increasing the rate of growth to about 8-10% per annum on a long-term sustainable basis.
• Improved export earnings to over USD $10 billion per annum within the next decade
• Create over a million direct and indirect jobs within the same period and
• Generate taxation revenues in excess of US $1.04 billion per annum in VAT taxes alone from in-bound tourists carried on Afra Airlines flights and accommodated by Afra Resorts and Holdings Ltd.

To this end, the Afra Group of Companies intends to promote the investment of US $6.2 billion in the development of travel, tourism and cargo transportation, through the operation of a truly international Pan-African airline, the construction and management of spectacular 100,000 room tourist resorts, an up-market leisure and business centre in Accra, the establishment of cargo handling facilities and a state of the art inspection, assessment and certification centre for export out of Africa to all world markets in aircraft operated by Afra Air Cargo.
The Government of Ghana can be an example for all of Africa and show the World what may be achieved with vision, action, commitment and a firm resolve to make a different and better future for her people by providing the right environment for private enterprise initiatives to grow and flourish. These business examples will in turn act as a catalyst to attract further investment, employment and provide wealth creation opportunities for the people of Ghana.
We envision Ghana making tangible progress towards these goals by 2008 as an African success story successfully and independently managing her own affairs within the Community of Nations on a sustainable basis.