By Stephen Asante, GNA
Kumasi, July 02, GNA – A day’s forum to
provide the platform to discuss avenues possible partnership for socio-economic
development between the United Kingdom (UK) and Ghana, has been held in Kumasi.
The forum, co-chaired by the British High
Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. Iain Walker, and Mr. Osei Assibey-Antwi, the Kumasi Metropolitan
Chief Executive (MCE), was held under the framework of the ‘UK-Ghana Business
Council (UKGBC)’.Hosted by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), the
programme sought to discuss and create avenues for possible partnership in the
area of infrastructure and agricultural development, as well as
industrialization.
“Kumasi is often referred to as Ghana’s
second city. My goal is to support its ambition to become a leading industrial
hub, and to ensure that the historic Anglo-Ashanti relationship is delivering
prosperity within the region for generations to come,” Mr. Walker noted.
The UKGBC is a bi-annual high-level meeting
between top UK and Ghana government officials intended to move forward a new strategic
economic partnership between the two countries.
This is expected to increase trade and
investment, emphasizing on the development of priority sectors of the Ghanaian
economy that would lead to job creation and sustained economic growth.
Mr. Walker indicated that the UK was taking
practical steps to expand its engagement in the West African country from government-to-government,
to the regional and district levels.
On the economic front, the UK had made
significant impact in the Ashanti Region. Most recently, it had invested in the
modernization and expansion of the Kumasi Central Market, expansion of Kumasi
Airport and construction of the Bekwai Hospital – all supported by £130 million
worth of UK Export Finance.
Mr. Assibey-Antwi said the forum tied in
with the government’s “Ghana beyond Aid” agenda, which was being vigorously
pursued to enable the nation become self-sufficient economically.
He described as generally good and vibrant
Ghana’s relationship with the UK, saying the KMA would continue to collaborate
with the UK government to address development challenges confronting the
Assembly.
“It is on record that there are more than five
million Ghanaian Diasporans in the UK and these links have provided a solid
basis for the two countries to pursue “our shared commitments for the eradication
of poverty, democracy, good governance and the rule of law.”
GNA
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