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The success of the growing strategic partnership between the governments and peoples of Ghana and Guyana would hinge to a very large extent on the productive participation of the private sector, the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has stated.

Addressing a joint consultation meeting between government officials, captains of industry and other private sector players from Ghana and Guyana in Georgetown, Guyana on Monday, 6th December 2021, Vice President Bawumia indicated that though trade between the countries has historically not been very high due to varied reasons, the recent upsurge in economic growth in the respective economies has provided the enabling environment for the private sector to enhance commercial ties between the two countries.

“It is our expectation therefore that the private sector through an innovative approach would partner with government to create sustainable growth by focusing on the pillars of development for economic prosperity.

“There is an economic imperative, at this momentous occasion in our relation for the two countries to broaden the scope of our engagements given the commonalities and the synergies in our economics. Areas of possible collaboration include Oil and Gas, Petrochemical sector, Agro-processing and Agriculture, Education, Mining (extractive sector) and Tourism.

“The Ghana Government welcomes the increasing collaboration between private sector operators from the two countries aimed at identifying potential investments and addressing the persistent trade imbalances in our ties.”

Some of the strategies the two governments may deploy in the meantime to boost cooperation include exchange of trade missions, workshops and seminars and linkages with the business community and other financial services to create the necessary incentives for attracting private equity in Education, Infrastructure and Energy for socio-economic development, Dr Bawumia, who is on a three-day official visit to Guyana, said.

“The private sector should also promote entrepreneurial activity and interaction between universities and companies through innovation in research which all growth depends on, as well as other market instruments such as credit and economic subventions, and direct investments in health and fintech developing technology solutions.”

Another important area requiring urgent attention is the issue of connectivity between the two countries, the Vice President noted.

“For us to realize this commercial objective of promoting trade and investments between our two countries, it is crucial that the private sector should support the Air Services agreement between Ghana and Guyana designed to improve air connectivity between countries in Africa and South America.  It is expected that the private sector or airlines will be able to fly without any restrictions to the desired destinations to promote connection between the two Continents.  One of the strategies to be adopted by both sides is to embark on a promotional drive to sensitize the business community about the potential benefits associated with sustainable air linkages in one of the largest aviation projects in the world.”