The President of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mr. Clement Osei-Amoako has said the Wakanda-One Trade Expo initiative is one of the targeted vehicles to mobilize resources for the continuous development of the Central Region as a safe haven for investment.
According to Mr. Osie-Amoako in a statement announcing the Chamber’s support for the Expo said, the project “could go a long way to address the issue of unemployment being faced by our teeming youth.”
“It is my expectation that this event will leverage on the dual-role of promotion and facilitation of the diaspora community in building synergies to attract the needed resources to complement local development programmes.”
The1st Wakanda One City of Return Trade Expo is an initiative of the African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI) under the leadership of Her Excellency, Ambassador Arikana Chihombori-Quao with partnership from the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce & Industries and the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly.
The Expo which brings together over 160 delegates from the United States of America, the Ghanaian business community, government departments, trade associations, traditional authorities, and the media seeks to highlight viable, ready-to-go, opportunities for local businesses and share investment opportunities that will assist in wealth creation.
According to the organizers, the business discussions will focus on areas such as Engineering & Real Estate; Healthcare & education; Agriculture; Small business; Digital Technology; Finance and banking; Mining and Minerals; Legal & media; Trade and investment; and Culture & tourism
The Expo which comprises conferences, trade tours, panel discussions, and exhibitions forms part of the Wakanda City of Return project which was launched a year ago by the African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI), Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly, and other local partners including Pelicape Group and Adepa Investment.
The project is expected to create about 5,000 direct and indirect jobs and open opportunities in Africa and beyond to boost tourism development.
Read the full statement of the Chamber President:
STATEMENT BY MR. CLEMENT OSEI-AMOAKO, PRESIDENT OF THE GHANA NATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AT THE WAKANDA-ONE TRADE EXPO
I bring you warm greetings on behalf of the business community in Ghana. As a collaborator of this event, the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) deeply appreciates the efforts made by stakeholders towards the organisation of the Wakanda-One Trade Expo as part of the Year of Return and Beyond agenda, initiated by His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
As the representative organ of the business community in Ghana and a natural ally of the government, it is our view that promoting and protecting trade is critical in driving a country’s development agenda within an atmosphere of cooperation and partnership. More importantly, empirical evidence abounds on the significant role that diasporas play in the socio-economic development of their countries of origin.
Aside their dominant role of sending remittances, diasporas are also noted for promoting trade and foreign direct investment, creating and stimulating businesses and entrepreneurship, as well as transferring new knowledge and skills.
Initiatives such as the Wakanda-One Trade Expo, therefore, becomes one of the targeted vehicles to mobilise resources for the continuous development of the Central Region as a safe haven for investment. This could go a long way to address the issue of unemployment being faced by our teeming youth.
It is my expectation that this event will leverage on the dual-role of promotion and facilitation of the diaspora community in building synergies to attract the needed resources to complement local development programmes.
I wish to assure all participants that the Chamber will continue to promote and protect commercial and industrial interests in the country via its evidence-based advocacy in addition to engagements with the business community and policy makers. We look forward to serving the needs of our members and the business community by designing bespoke business solutions and recommendations through Business Development Support (BDS) services.
Thank you!