In a move guaranteed to deepen the trade and investment ecosystem in the country and across the continent, the Ghana Chapter of the African Chamber for Trade (ACT) has been formally inaugurated at an event in Accra.
The Chamber, according to its executives, seeks to serve as a rallying point for businesses in the country by providing information on regulation, access to finance and access to market among other services.
Speaking at the launch, which coincided with the ACT’s CEOs’ Forum, the Acting President of the local chapter of ACT, Ismaila Awudu, said there is a need to forge closer economic integration as well as facilitate and promote trade and investments, and position Ghanaian businesses at the forefront of opportunities presented by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
‘The Chamber will ensure that businesses under its remit are running properly, as it uses best-practices to get what we are all looking for. Through ACT, many businesses will be able to find their bearings and push their operations to the next level; and everyone will benefit from the synergies as we achieve greatness, individually and collectively, for our country,” he explained.
Former Board Chairman of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Kwasi Abeasi, noted that recent interruptions of global supply chains have highlighted the need for strategic placement of local businesses across every segment of the global value and supply chains.
He further urged CEOs gathered and the Chamber as a body to be transparent yet astute in their dealings, particularly with partners outside the nation’s borders.
On her part, Consulting President at the Laweh Open University, Professor Goski Alabi, speaking on the theme Clinging to Leadership – Advantages to Create and Deliver Value for Constructive Changes in the Fast-Paced 21st Century, urged business leaders to be abreast with the ever-evolving business landscape and give themselves an edge by anticipating changes in consumer behaviour.
“Businesses must take note to be mindful of their customers – who is anyone that has an interest in or is affected by the business; the competition and not the competitors, as well as the general changes and shifts in the business environment… With the current trends, all business owners must be technology-aware,” she said.
The event also saw the launch of the ACT SMEs Pitch, which President and Chairman of M&C Group Global, Michael Bartlett-Vanderpuye described as the ideal avenue to nurture budding businesses. He noted that the Pitch will afford SMEs the opportunity to access funding as well as advisory services.
The Board members of ACT are Chairman of the McDan Group, Daniel McKorley; CEO, Holy Trinity Spa & Health Farm, Dr. Felix Anyah; as well as the aforementioned Prof. Goski Alabi; Mr. Ismaila Awudu; and Mr. Michael Bartlett-Vanderpuye.
