“The business of Ghana must be driven and led by Ghanaians,” these are the words with which Ambassador Mike Oquaye Jnr, CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) kicked started his interaction with the president and members of the East Legon Executive Business and Fitness Club.
The interaction forms part of the GFZA’s drive to consolidate and grow local interest and participation in the free zones scheme and also to encourage businesses to take advantage of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The informal business interaction saw Ambassador Oquaye talking through the need for Ghanaian investors and entrepreneurs like the members of the East Legon Executive club to take advantage of the scheme, in line with the authority’s vision to assist Ghanaian businesses to ‘Achieve More exports, Beyond the Horizon – into Africa and the Rest of the World’.
Amb. Oquaye informed the group that contrary to the perception that the free zones scheme is an area fully dominated by foreign companies, available figures show that 31percent of businesses are wholly owned by Ghanaians while 33percent jointly owned by Ghanaian and foreign interest, and 36percent wholly foreign owned.
“More Ghanaians must get on board to create more wealth and jobs locally, in line with the vision of Ghana Beyond Aid – as espoused by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,” he added.
Members of the club took turns to ask questions touching on, how to secure a license, challenges with exports into West Africa, the need for government support businesses to penetrate other countries among others.
The ‘Ghanaian Entrepreneurs for Export’ drive is a roadshow that will see the leadership of the GFZA personalizing its interaction with potential investors, associations and business groupings.
