By: Bright Ntramah
A delegation of Qatari businessmen are in Accra to explore business and investment opportunities in Ghana. The delegation led by the Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar Investment Authority for Africa and Asia, Sheikh Faisal Al Thani, has been meeting with their Ghanaian counterparts and the various sector Ministers.
They later paid a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.
Sheikh Faisal AL Thani and his business delegation are in Ghana because of the promise the Emir of Qatar made to President Akufo-Addo, that, he (the Amir of Qatar) would send a delegation to Ghana to look into the possibilities and explore business and investment opportunities.
President Akufo-Addo on March 12, this year, attended the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), in Oatar and on the sidelines called on the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani at the Amiri Diwan (the official workplace of the Amir) in Doha.
President Akufo-Addo and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, in Doha, discussed, among other issues of interest, bilateral cooperation between Ghana and Qatar and how to explore and enhance investment opportunities, for the mutual benefit of their respective countries.
President Akufo-Addo said Ghana will deepen collaboration with Qatar for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
President Akufo-Addo urged business owners and entrepreneurs in Qatar to come to Ghana and explore the many business and investment opportunities that abound in the country.
At the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo told the delegation “You’ve come. This year I have seen the Emir, twice, and on the first occasion, when he promised that the people would be coming, it got mixed up with Ramadan, yes so, I understood that.
“But then, the last time I came, he said definitely this time round, people will be coming to talk to us…so I am really happy to see you here.”
The President said he told the Emir of Qatar during their conversations, in Doha, that, there were many ways — the desire and proximity — that both countries could exploit and develop a very strong relationship.
“Having you here” the President told the delegation, it was important to step forward and identify what were the opportunities and “which would interest you and what would be the opportunities you would like to push.”
“So, it’s good…we are all here, the Finance Minister, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, the Chief of Staff, the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority, the Transport Minister are all here. We take this delegation very seriously,” the President stated.
The President said bilateral cooperation between the two countries would centre on two-pronged sectors — economic and politics. He recalled the warm reception he always received as President of Ghana on his visit to the Kingdom and commended the two countries for the bond of friendship.
Also at the Jubilee House was the Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, who also paid a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo.
The President called on Israel to support the country in the processing and management of its water resources.
Mr Cohen’s visit to Ghana was the first bilateral meeting he had had in Africa, since his appointment. The visit will strengthen the already cordial relations between the two countries, especially in the areas of health, cyber security and agriculture.
Mr Cohen is also leading a business delegation of people with an agriculture, cyber security and infrastructure background, among others. He commended Ghana’s role in international peace and security.
