President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has encouraged Maltese investors to take advantage of Ghana’s growing economy and business-friendly environment to invest in the country.
He highlighted the impressive growth indices over the past two years and said it was the place to put their money.
The call comes amid the strengthening of political and economic ties between Ghana and Malta through reciprocal high-level visits over the last 18 months.
President Akufo-Addo, addressing Ghana-Malta Business Forum in Valletta, during his one-day state visit to the Central Mediterranean Island, said his administration had put in place a raft of measures that were leading Ghana and its economy into a new era of growth and prosperity.
“Growing investor confidence has meant that global vehicle manufacturing companies such as Volkswagen, Sinotruck, Nissan, Renault and Suzuki; major oil companies such as Aker Energy of Norway, and ExxonMobil of the United States of America; and Tech giant Google, are working towards establishing bases in Ghana.”
“Our economy grew from 3.6 per cent in 2016, the lowest in two decades, to 8.5 per cent in 2017, our first year in office, to six per cent last year, and is projected to grow by 7.9 per cent in 2019, making it one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.
“We have also now successfully completed and exited the IMF programme, and have decided that, with disciplined management of our public finances, we will not have recourse, again, to a bailout programme.”
Ghana, he told Maltese companies, “is ready for business, and I am happy that Maltese companies have already made investments to the tune of some US$19 million in our country.”
Madam Louise Coleira Preca, the Maltese Leader, expressed optimism that the forum would lead to effective collaboration between the private sectors of their two countries.
These sectors could make the direct and impactful contribution to create the necessary economic prosperity for Ghana and Malta.
Malta, she said, was an ideal choice for Ghana as the economic gateway into the European Union’s market of over 500 million people.
Madam Preca added that Ghana did not need charity, but genuine and sustainable investment.
“Ghana is a country of opportunity and both our nations are well connected hub in our respective regions of the world.