'We want you in Ghana' – Akufo-Addo to Russian businesses

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has asked Russian investors to look at Ghana as a viable destination for investment in Africa.

Nana Akufo-Addo said the stability of Ghana and the general wellbeing of the economy makes the world’s second-largest cocoa producer the best country for Russian investors seeking to expand their businesses.

Speaking to Russian businessmen on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi, Russia, on Wednesday, 23 October 2019, the Ghanaian leader assured the Russian businesses that his government will create a conducive environment to welcome and accommodate them.

“So, you’ll have to know that there’s a good atmosphere in Ghana for engaging with Russian companies. We want to see you there and whatever it is we need to do on our side to encourage you to look at Ghana seriously, we’re ready to do it,” Nana Akufo-Addo stated.

“We’ve worked these last two years to restore discipline in the management of our public finances, we’ve brought the deficit down to under 5 per cent…generally, the repositioning of the Ghanaian economy is taking place in a very rapid way and, therefore, there’s an opportunity for investing. The economy of Ghana is growing stronger and stronger, so, there are lots of possibilities and I want to encourage you to interest yourself in [coming to Ghana]. The country is stable, Ghana is the most stable country in West Africa [and] for 25 years, we’ve been a democracy,” he added.

This is the maiden edition of the Russia-Africa Summit put together by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

All 54 African states sent a representative to the the meeting, including 43 heads of state or government, according to Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov.

Putin said Russia currently export to Africa $25 billion ($22.5 billion) worth of food — which is more than they export in arms, at $15 billion.

Putin noted that Russia hopes to in the next four to five years double this trade.