By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
President John Dramani Mahama has told international investors that Ghana’s greatest competitive advantage is its people, not just its natural resources or strategic location, as he pitched the country as a gateway to African markets.
According to him, Ghana has a young, ambitious, entrepreneurial, English-speaking population operating within one of Africa’s most stable democratic systems.
Speaking at the Ghana-UK Investment Summit on June 1, 2026, President Mahama highlighted Ghana’s legal and institutional framework as a key attraction for investors. He said the country’s legal system is predictable and based on English common law, with an independent judiciary and a strong record of peaceful transfers of power.
“Our legal system is predictable, based on English common law. Our judiciary is independent, power transitions are peaceful, and our institutions remain strong,” President Mahama said. “For investors, certainty is important.”
He positioned Ghana as more than a domestic market of over 34 million people, describing it as a strategic entry point into the wider West African and continental economies.
“Ghana is not only a national market of over 34 million people; Ghana is a strategic entry point into the ECOWAS and African markets,” he said.
The President cited the ECOWAS market of more than 425 million people and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which he said represents over 1.4 billion consumers with a combined GDP exceeding US$3 trillion.
“No serious global investor can ignore the scale of opportunity emerging across Africa,” he added.
Addressing international investors directly, President Mahama said Ghana is seeking partnerships that go beyond short-term returns.
“To the international investors gathered here today, let me say this clearly: Ghana is open for business.”
He outlined the government’s priorities for foreign investment, saying: “We are open to partnerships that create jobs, transfer technology, develop skills, support industrialisation, expand exports, and deliver sustainable growth.”
According to him, his administration is looking for investors committed to long-term collaboration.
“We seek investors who are prepared to build long-term partnerships with us, partnerships that are grounded in mutual respect, transparency, and shared prosperity. My government stands ready to work with you,” he said.
President Mahama also noted that several ministers and senior government officials were present at the summit and encouraged investors to engage directly with them.
“I encourage all potential investors to engage directly with them during this business summit, during the sessions and networking engagements,” he said. “This is the time for us to move from conversations to commitments. This is the time to invest in Ghana.”
He said the objective is to build partnerships that deliver returns for investors while creating broader economic opportunities.
“Together, let us build a partnership that not only delivers returns for investors but also creates opportunities for millions of people across Ghana, the United Kingdom, and Africa,” he said.
