On Tuesday, Ambassador Demetrios Marantis continued his visit to Accra, Ghana, meeting this morning with Ghanaian Deputy Trade Minister Mahama Ayariga. Ambassador Marantis and Ayariga discussed the encouraging 48 percent increase in bilateral goods trade last year and explored how Ghanaian companies could diversify their exports to the United States and take greater advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Ambassador Marantis with Minister Mahama Ayariga
Recognizing that stronger investment ties contribute to economic growth and export opportunities, both officials discussed the possibility of the United States and Ghana beginning Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) talks.
Discussion of the BIT carried over into Ambassador Marantis’s meeting with George Aboagye, the CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC). GIPC is charged with attracting and facilitating investment in Ghana. Ambassador Marantis said concluding a BIT with the United States would make Ghana stand out among countries seeking U.S. investment and would attest to a high-quality investment climate.
Following his bilateral meetings, Ambassador Marantis spoke to an audience of Ghanaian students, business leaders, and officials at U.S. Ambassador Donald Teitelbaum’s residence. His remarks covered a broad range of important bilateral issues, including the Obama Administration’s selection of Ghana as one of four Partnerships for Growth (PFG) countries. The PFG is a signature effort of the Obama Administration to promote broad-based economic growth through trade and investment with a select group of countries with a demonstrated commitment to development and democratic governance. After a lively question and answer session, Marantis held a press roundtable with local journalists. The full text of his remarks can be found here.
Ambassador Marantis departs for Liberia tomorrow.
