Ghana Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (GHANJACC) was duly launched in the presence of Ghanaian traders, investors and the Caribbean community.
Africa and the Caribbean, despite having over US$1billion in trade potential, have minimal modern day trade activity. Jamaica and Ghana reflect this with minimal trade. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, the bilateral trade over the past 25 years between Ghana and Jamaica has declined from US$43.1million to US$15.7million, marking a decrease from 3.95 percent to an alarming 0.5 percent.
The GHANJACC launch was mc’d by Jamaican Ghana Institute of Journalism Professor Dr. Rachel Brown and Ghanaian Journalist and multi-hyphenate businessman KOD, with an introduction from the Vice President of GHANJACC, Lakeshia Ford, and a charge for businesses to get connected with the chamber by GHANJACC President, Derrick Cobbinah.
The Ghana Jamaica Chamber of Commerce aims to increase access and connectivity between the private sectors of Ghana and Jamaica, paving the way for increased trade, investment, and cultural exchange. As it stands, GHANJACC has identified areas such as financial technology, cyber-security, textiles along with other Ghanaian services and industries that could benefit the Jamaican economy, while Ghana could benefit from Jamaican services in tourisms, solar farms, and agriculture such as fisheries.
GHANJACC is poised to support chamber members with seamless cross-border trade activities in Ghana and Jamaica.
Keynote speeches were given by Honourary Council Isaac Osei-Bonsu and GHANJACC Board Member and CEO of Supreme Ventures Services LTD., Clair-Ann Kennedy. The event was also graced by Ghanaian dancehall artiste Stonebwoy.
The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Derrick Cobbinah, also added that the new chamber is championing inclusivity. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be integral to its mission, with dedicated programmes to support and empower them to enter new markets.
“What I am trying to illuminate here is that we [Ghana] and especially the Caribbean countries do not have to look to the north to trade when we have access to markets right at home in Africa. This is the beginning of the South South collaboration we all yearn for,” said lawyer and Honorary Consul of the Jamaican Consulate in Ghana.
The Ghana-Jamaica Chamber of Commerce is a private-led entity with a mission to be the foremost organisation facilitating trade and investment between businesses in Ghana and Jamaica. The chamber’s services include but are not limited to trade missions, networking events and market entry support with headquarters in Accra, Ghana.
