UKGCC to drive trade and investment agenda in Ghana - CEO

Chief Executive Officer at UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC), Tony Burkson, has disclosed that his outfit is poised at driving trade and investment agenda in Ghana to greater levels.

According to him, UKGCC in the next few years is expected to be the major driver of trade and investment activities between Ghana and the Unite Kingdom.

“We intend to work closely with Yofi Grant and the GIPC to promote Ghana as an investment destination for British FDI and Technical expertise. Expect to see UK participation in railways, infrastructure, healthcare & technology,” he said.

Mr. Burkson said this in his address at the maiden edition of the ‘Business Excellence Awards and Dinner Gala’ held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.

The awards aimed at acknowledging excellence in business amongst companies operating in Ghana.

They also sought to create a platform for interactions between members of the chamber, top government officials of Ghana, as well as other key players in Ghana’s corporate community.

In his speech, Mr. Burkson indicated that “as a result of the strong fiscal discipline and macroeconomic prudence of this administration, led by the ever serene and competent Finance Minister and his team...Ghana is again an exciting investment destination and I can confidently say that interest in doing business in Ghana from UK companies has shot up over last few months”.

He further stated that, there was the need for government to initiate predictable and fair policies that are good for investment decisions with long term views.

“What we ask from the Government is predictable and fair policies. Investment decisions are made with long term view and constant changes in the policy outlook can affect investment decisions in the short term,” he said.

He added that “asking small SME's and other medium sized companies looking to invest in Ghana to demonstrate $500k worth of capital available seems to be an overkill in my opinion”.

Mr. Burkson also expressed optimism in the new GIPC bill to help in the rectification of the anomaly.

In attendance at the awards were the Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta, Deputy Minister of Trade Carlos Ahinkra, Chief Director of Business development Joe Tackie, British High Commissioner to Ghana H.E. Iain Walker, Deputy High Commissioner to Ghana Gavin Cook, Head of Investments and Business Development for the Office of the VP, Kadijah Amoah , Kow Essuman, Counsel in the office of the president.

Find below the full list of winners:

Employer of the Year - Unilever
Exporter of the Year - Kasapreko
SME of the Year - Boomers
CSR Project of the Year - Vivo Energy
Logistics Company of the Year - McDan Shipping
Financial Institution of the Year - Barclay’s Bank

BEST OF BRITISH
Best Brand of the Year - Vodafone
Best CEO of the Year - Charles Darko, Tullow Oil
Most Successful Company of the Year - Vodafone

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Best Think Tank - IEA
Improving Trade Between Ghana & UK - R. Yofi Grant & Adam Afriyie
Best Social Impact Project - Aqua Africa
Best in Innovation - Strategic Security Systems
British Entrepreneur of the Year - Ann Brewin, Clifton Homes
Best Engine Graduate - Decokraft