The US Ambassador to Ghana, Robert Jackson, says it is very expensive to travel through the Kotoka International Airport as compared to other African countries.
The situation impedes US investment in Ghana and also compels most US investors to focus on other countries within the sub-region, according to him.
Ambassador Jackson, who revealed this when he paid a courtesy call on the Business Development Minister, Mohammed Ibrahim Awal yesterday in Accra, mentioned that hotels in Ghana are also very expensive compared to other African countries.
“There is a steady increase in the number of American companies that want to use Ghana as their West African hub, but there are some things that are also holding them back like very expensive travel cost.
“Your airport is very expensive relative to other airports in the sub-region,” he said.
Visa Challenges
Ambassador Jackson also complained about the delays in issuing visas to US citizens by the Ghanaian Embassy in the United States.
He said, “We see that the speed with which your Embassy in the United States processes visas is about three weeks. We have our own Visa issues but we process our own Visas within 48 hours.
“I don’t know what process occurs in your embassies overseas but I know that some of your embassies in Europe are far faster than your embassies in Washington.
The US envoy said, “If we are really serious about developing business, then I want to be totally honest and say I like to see the Embassies in Washington moving faster. If you want more visitors and businesses to come to Ghana, then making it easier to get visas will help with that.”
The Business Development Minister, on his part, assured the envoy that issues related to visas would be dealt with to ensure that more US investors travel to Ghana to invest.
He said the Akufo-Addo administration was committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
“I want the relations between the two countries to expand and to do that we will have to work together to eliminate issues that impede business growth in Ghana to attract more US investors,” the Minister told the envoy.
Ghana’s trade volume with the U.S. is estimated at $1.2 billion.
The US contributed to about $900 million, with Ghana accounting for the remaining $300 million.
Source: JFM Ghana
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@Eddy! who are you and where are you (network with me: [email protected]). You are thinking right, let's think together pls. This is the first time I have seen someone on some of these platforms talking sense. The people in Ghana invest too much time in the so-called churches and prayer camps and spent getting to 5 hours each Sunday churching. Saturday and Sunday in Ghana are holidays. But you don't see that in serious countries. Ghanaians are super lazy and too relaxed.
MR. JACKSON YOU ARE 100% RIGHT.GHANA'S AIRPORT IS THE LEAST DEVELOPED OR BEAUTIFUL COMPARED TO OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES YET THE MOST EXPENSIVE.THE PRICE FOR THE HOTELS IN GHANA ARE EXORBITANTLY HIGH THANKS TO THE MISMANAGEMENT OF THOSE IGNORAAAANT NATIONAL NOTORIOUS CRIMINALS WHO ARE GOOD FOR NOTHING BUT THIEEEEVES.HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO ATTRACT INVESTORS AND BUSINESS MEN WITH SUCH EXPENSIVE HOTELS AND OTHER FACILITIES.VIRGIN AIRLINES AND ALITALIA AIRLINES HAD TO FOLD AND LEAVE ALL UNDER MAHAMAS GOVERNMENT.
This guy is j o k I n g,if you like,give Ghana visa free,then USA to can enjoy visa free,,,thank you very much,Ghana embassy in USA.I'm very happy,don't allow USA to enter Ghana free.punish them.
Sir,you er right come nd see in BERLIN CORRUPTION at the hightst point,***barred word*** people.
Look at that man, how long does it take to acquire American visa here also in Ghana?? He doesn't see the log on his eyes. He should first reform his embassy in Ghana and how Ghanaians are treated. What is good to the geese is similar to the gander. Left to me alone no one will go there. Buudhiit.
Our hotels are also by far the most expensive if u compare per capita income and room price per night.
Everything in Gh is expensive because of laziness. People prefer the easier choice instead of the one of critical thinking and assessment.
Thank you sir, you have said it all. Corruption at the airport is incredible
Simply put our ports are very expensive not only the airport
Mr. Jackson, say the truth. The employees in the Washington are not educated and most of them are relatives and friends of these politicians. They preferred to work with people who are lazy and have no educated than employing educated people