Ghana has declared a bold new direction for its foreign policy and economic recovery under President John Dramani Mahama, pledging to prioritise investment diplomacy, protect foreign partnerships, and open Ghana to unprecedented levels of global business activity.
Speaking at the Ghana-Japan Presidential Investment Forum, a high-level event attended by ministers, diplomats, business leaders and development partners, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said President Mahama’s administration had “ushered in a new dawn of commitment, macroeconomic stability, and respect for investors.”
Citing Ghana’s transformation since January 2025, he said, “Our currency is now regarded as one of the best-performing currencies in the world. Macroeconomic stability has been restored, and the sovereign rating agencies have all begun to upgrade Ghana. We are no longer in junk status, and we are no longer a bankrupt country.”
Ghana is open for business – and ready to compete
The speech reiterated Mahama’s January inauguration pledge that “Ghana is open for business once again”, emphasising that his leadership has re-established investor confidence and launched reforms to make Ghana the region’s top business destination.
“When President Mahama appointed me, his marching orders were that we should prioritise economic diplomacy. Diplomacy must promote investment. Diplomacy must create a safe haven for all those who invest in our country,” the minister said.
He announced that, starting 1st September 2025, the government will launch Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for all Ghanaian ambassadors, a first in the country’s history, with a strong focus on attracting investment and supporting trade missions globally.
Ghana-Japan relations deepen
He assured Japanese investors that no contracts or business arrangements have been tampered with since the new government took office, adding that companies such as Toyota, Honda, Suzuki among others continue to thrive and expand their operations in Ghana.
“You are all experiencing the new business climate, which is indeed positive to your investments,” he noted.
Ghana also touted its role as the host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), positioning itself as the gateway to 1.3 billion Africans. The minister declared: “When you invest in Ghana, you are not only investing in a stable, democratic country with 33 million people. You are also investing in the gateway to Africa.”
He praised Japan for its non-restrictive trade policy and continued social development projects in Ghana, including the Volivo Bridge, Tamale Electricity Expansion, and the Kumasi Ring Road Project.
A partnership for the future
As the forum drew to a close, Ghana extended a strong guarantee to the Japanese business community: “When you decide to invest in Ghana, you can count on our full and integrated support, from our embassy in Tokyo to GIPC, the Ministry of Trade, and all related agencies.”
He concluded with optimism: “Your choice to invest in Ghana will be the best decision you ever made, especially under the visionary and pragmatic leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.”
The Ghana-Japan Presidential Investment Forum, he said, is expected to open new doors for mutual trade, more bilateral ventures, and stronger diplomatic ties between both countries.
By: Victor Lavor
