East Bay political, business leaders on trek to Ghana

Trade mission is about expanding export-import opportunities

OAKLAND -- East Bay business and political leaders are in West Africa to build housing, and to talk about trade and more cultural exchanges.

Oakland City Councilmember Desley Brooks and Sandra Andrews, an aide to Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), were among a 20-member delegation that left for Ghana on Nov. 19, according to the Bay Area Trade Center.

They were joined by representatives from Dunn Construction of Castro Valley, Oakland-based construction company M.A. Lindquist Co. and MMM Development of Alameda.

The group is expected to return today after meeting with officials in Ghana about agriculture, highways, communications and technology. The United States is the third-largest exporter to Ghana.

"We would like to expand commercial ties between our two cities based on complementary industries of our region," said Brooks.

"It's important to continue forging trade and friendship relationships with the African continent."

In Ghana there is a need for housing, and the East Bay delegation is interested in improving cultural ties with Oakland's sister city in Ghana, Sekondi-Takoradi.

In addition, the trade mission is about expanding "export-import opportunities," said Michael Chapnick, a spokesperson for the center.

Gold mining is a mainstay in Ghana's industrial sector, and the country has privatized two-thirds of 300 companies once controlled by the government.

Former Oakland Mayor Elihu Harris, now chairman of the Oakland-based center, said, "This trade mission extends our outreach efforts to world markets and emerging economies. We want to pursue global relationships, educate our members and connect Bay Area companies with our business network throughout the world."

African Americans have spiritual ties to Ghana because many slaves came from its coast to the United States.

Earlier this year, Oakland education consultant Ruth Love, the congregation at Downs Memorial United Methodist Church, and members of the Links Inc., a nonprofit African-American civic organization, were also involved in helping Ghana.

They helped the country secure a much needed ambulance and filled containers at the Port of Oakland with needed medical, educational and household supplies.

Last summer, Love, Dr. Kathy Malone and Dr. James Rorie were among a delegation of educators and doctors who visited Ghana. Malone and Rorie practiced medicine in hospitals, clinics and villages.

Love was working with Ghana's Minister of Education on the country's Education Reform Plan and plans to take educators back to train teachers.