A day’s forum to provide the platform to discuss avenues possible partnership for socio-economic development between the United Kingdom (UK) and Ghana, has been held in Kumasi.

The forum, co-chaired by the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. Iain Walker, and Mr. Osei Assibey-Antwi, the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), was held under the framework of the ‘UK-Ghana Business Council (UKGBC)’.

Hosted by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), the programme sought to discuss and create avenues for possible partnership in the area of infrastructure and agricultural development, as well as industrialization.

“Kumasi is often referred to as Ghana’s second city. My goal is to support its ambition to become a leading industrial hub, and to ensure that the historic Anglo-Ashanti relationship is delivering prosperity within the region for generations to come,” Mr. Walker noted.

The UKGBC is a bi-annual high-level meeting between top UK and Ghana government officials intended to move forward a new strategic economic partnership between the two countries.

This is expected to increase trade and investment, emphasizing on the development of priority sectors of the Ghanaian economy that would lead to job creation and sustained economic growth.

Mr. Walker indicated that the UK was taking practical steps to expand its engagement in the West African country from government-to-government to the regional and district levels.

On the economic front, the UK had made a significant impact in the Ashanti Region. Most recently, it had invested in the modernization and expansion of the Kumasi Central Market, expansion of Kumasi Airport and construction of the Bekwai Hospital - all supported by £130 million worth of UK Export
Finance.

Mr. Assibey-Antwi said the forum tied in with the government’s “Ghana beyond Aid” agenda, which was being vigorously pursued to enable the nation to become self-sufficient economically.

He described as generally good and vibrant Ghana’s relationship with the UK, saying the KMA would continue to collaborate with the UK government to address development challenges confronting the Assembly.

“It is on record that there are more than five million Ghanaian Diasporans in the UK and these links have provided a solid basis for the two countries to pursue “our shared commitments for the eradication of poverty, democracy, good governance and the rule of law.”