Veep in Prague for Ghana-Czech Trade Investment Forum

From: George-Ramsey Benamba, GNA Special Correspondent in Prague

Prague, Nov. 10, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday arrived in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, to attend a three-day Ghana-Czech Trade and Investment forum on the theme: Ghana's oil and gas discovery and investment opportunities."

The forum is expected to be attended by more than 100 private and public sector organisations.

The Vice President would use the visit to hold bilateral discussions with Czech officials and visit some industrial establishments of the Eastern European country to find out areas that Ghana wield a comparative advantage with the host nation.

Vice President Mahama who had to postpone the trip from Sunday to Monday in order to address some domestic problems in Ghana, was compelled by time constraint to move straight from the Prague international airport to the Congress Hotel, where the programme was taking place.

Government officials in Prague to participate in the Trade and Investment forum include: Mr Mahama Ayariga, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr George Aboagye, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Investment Promotion Council, Mr Ato Pobee Ampiah, Chief Executive Officer of Tema Oil Refinery and Mr Daniel Duku, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Venture Capital Fund.

Trade relations between Ghana and Czech Republic was established in 1959, during the rule of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, First President of Ghana when the country was then part of the erstwhile Czechoslovakia communist country.

It was during the period that the Ghana Industrial Holding Company, Jute Factory, Komenda Sugar Factory, Aboso Glass Factory, Bonsu Tyres and Kumasi Shoe Factory were established.

Ghana would use the forum seek to resurrect most of the factories, which are either defunct or limping to survive in the competitive market regime.