Accra (Greater Accra), 7th May ?99 ?
Seventeen heads of state have confirmed their participation in the Fifth African-African American Summit scheduled to take off in Accra on May 17.
There will also be an official US delegation of 50 individuals and a number of cabinet ministers.
Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, Chief Executive of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), said this when he briefed journalists in Accra on Thursday.
He said other dignitaries expected include chief executives of business and corporate entities across the world.
The programme for the Summit would include workshops in business, trade, investment, agriculture, democracy and governance, education and health "Alongside these will be a Trade and Investment Exposition and Bazaar, which will enable its participants to exchange ideas and establish business contacts, and put on show the capacity of African indigenous entrepreneurship.
"There are also going to be industry-focus meetings that are designed as match-making sessions to enhance the focus in several areas such as business, engineering, construction tourism, telecommunications, utilities, automobiles, aerospace, railroads and ports."
The one-week Summit is from May 17 to 21 under the theme: Business, Trade and Investment, "Africa Can Compete" is the summit slogan.
The summit is expected to assemble the largest number of visitors at a time to the country.
Statistics from the secretariat indicate that about 4,000 local and international participants would attend the summit. This includes a core of 600 that will travel with reverend Leon Sullivan, the Convenor.
A state dinner to be hosted by President Jerry Rawlings, gala awards, a fashion revue are the other events on the menu on the summit.
Mr Kwesi Dzidzienyo, a member of the planning committee, said the summit has immense benefits to Ghana as the founder, Reverend Leon Sullivan, has programmed.
"Some of the benefits in the long term, some of which have begun are a "Teachers for Africa" and bankers' programme in which teachers and bankers from the US will come to share their experiences with their Ghanaian counterparts for a year.
The other benefits include a debt relief programme, Fellows Programme, Opportunities Industrialisation Institutions and a Training College programme.
