In the lead-up to the December 2024 elections and in collaboration with the EU Delegation to Ghana, EuroCham Ghana organized a series of engagements with Presidential candidates His Excellency Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and His Excellency Former President John Dramani Mahama.

These meetings provided a platform for business leaders to discuss and share ideas on transforming Ghana’s business climate.

The first engagement was with H.E. Dr. Bawumia. Following a welcoming note by the EU Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Irchad Razaly, the Vice President presented his achievements over the past seven years and his plans as a presidential candidate.

A group of CEO members of EuroCham, along with EU ambassadors, attended the meeting at the EU Ambassador’s residence. EuroCham members were given the opportunity to inquire about the Vice President’s visions and plans, as well as to address key concerns hampering the development of investments and business in Ghana.

The Chief Executive Officer of Meridian Port Services (MPS), Mr. Mohamed Samara, emphasized the urgent need for private sector development in Ghana. He highlighted that while investors are eager to establish operations in Ghana, several unfavourable factors continue to pose significant challenges. These include complex land acquisition processes and multiple taxes with no visibility or transparency regarding their implementation, most of which contribute to high business costs.

H.E. Dr. Bawumia stressed the importance of removing these impediments to boost investor confidence and facilitate smoother business operations. He highlighted his government’s commitment to enhancing digitalization efforts, including implementing Blockchain technology in land administration to streamline the process.

Subsequently, H.E. Irchad Razaly hosted another insightful gathering with H.E. Former President John Dramani Mahama, Leader and Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress.

H.E. John Mahama, as a presidential candidate, shared his vision and priorities should he succeed in the upcoming presidential elections. Addressing some of the concerns raised by business leaders, H.E. acknowledged their validity and assured that his government would be committed to engaging all stakeholders to resolve the issues, advocating for an open-door policy for positive engagement.

The CEO of MPS highlighted that Tema Port’s enhanced operational efficiency has cemented its role in driving economic development through improved trade, positioning Ghana as a dynamic hub in the global marketplace. This benefits not only Ghana’s vibrant trade and industry sector but also neighbouring coastal countries and landlocked nations such as Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali.

Noting the significant upgrades at Tema Port, H.E. John Mahama shared his vision for creating new industrial economic zones that enable investors to set up in well-catered-for industrial economic zones. He further elaborated on plans to decongest the capital city by shifting the majority of the ministries and government buildings to a new location on the outskirts of Accra.

The gatherings comprised senior-level business executives from various sectors across Ghana. MPS has demonstrated regional maritime leadership and goodwill through its efforts to create a platform for connectivity, enabling businesses to thrive. By establishing vital transport infrastructure, MPS continues to play an instrumental role in advancing the business environment and supporting trade growth in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa.

The MPS Terminal 3 and the Tema Port have witnessed tremendous volume growth in the last quarter, thanks to their exceptional features and efficient services. Major shipping lines have designated Tema Port as a transshipment hub, enabling some of the world’s largest vessels to utilize the modern port facility. As the first port of call with direct routes, Tema Port has significantly reduced transit times from Southeast Asia to 20 days, the fastest along the East Coast.

This reduced transit time accelerates the movement of goods and lowers associated costs, creating a more cost-effective and competitive trade environment. This efficiency allows businesses to operate with greater agility and responsiveness to market demands, fostering growth and competitiveness.