Trade Minister Woos British Investors with Economic ‘Reset’ Success
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has made a strong case for increased British investment in Ghana, urging the United Kingdom’s private sector to take the lead in the country’s next phase of economic growth, following what she described as a successful macroeconomic “reset.”
Speaking at a high-profile reception held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, in honour of the British International Investment (BII) Board of Directors, the Minister projected Ghana as a resurgent and stable investment destination, positioning the country as the preferred gateway to Africa’s $3.4 trillion African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market.
Ms. Ofosu-Adjare said the economic reset agenda being pursued under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama has moved beyond policy declarations to tangible and measurable outcomes, restoring confidence among investors and development partners.
She pointed to Ghana’s 5.5 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth recorded in the third quarter of 2025, the strongest performance in five years, as clear evidence that ongoing structural reforms are beginning to yield results.
One of the most striking indicators of the turnaround, the Minister noted, is the sharp decline in inflation, which fell from a peak of 54 per cent in December 2022 to 5.4 per cent by December 2025. This dramatic disinflation, she added, has been accompanied by the Ghana cedi’s emergence as Africa’s best-performing currency in 2025, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) data.
“Ghana offers what UK investors value most, stability, transparency and partnership, describing the country as one of Africa’s most stable democracies, with a proven record of peaceful political transitions and respect for the rule of law,” Ms. Ofosu-Adjare said.
She further highlighted the strengthening trade relationship between Ghana and the United Kingdom, noting that bilateral trade has reached a historic high under the Ghana–UK Trade Partnership Agreement. Total trade between the two countries rose to £1.5 billion by mid-2025, representing a 5.7 per cent year-on-year increase.
UK exports to Ghana grew by more than 22 per cent to £888 million, while Ghana’s exports to the UK remained resilient at £640 million, driven largely by value-added products such as cocoa paste, processed fish and fruits. The UK’s share of Ghana’s import market also increased to 3.9 per cent, reflecting deepening commercial ties.
To further enhance Ghana’s attractiveness to foreign investors, the Minister outlined a series of fiscal and regulatory reforms contained in the 2026 National Budget. These include the complete abolition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on mineral reconnaissance and prospecting activities to stimulate exploration, the extension of zero-rated VAT for locally manufactured textiles until 2028, and the rollout of digital VAT monitoring systems and Fiscal Electronic Devices to improve transparency and compliance.
She also cited ongoing reforms to customs administration and business licensing processes aimed at reducing bureaucracy and cutting operational costs for businesses.
Ms. Ofosu-Adjare encouraged British International Investment, which already supports small and medium-sized enterprises through its Ghana Investment Support Programme, to expand its presence into high-growth sectors such as pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and automotive manufacturing.
“Ghana is open for business, Let us turn today’s conversations into joint ventures and build supply chains that reflect both Ghanaian resilience and UK innovation,” she concluded.
The Minister further disclosed that a major Ghana Investment Forum will be hosted in London later this year as part of efforts to consolidate recent gains and deepen economic cooperation between the two countries.
