Florida Investment Mission meets Trade Ministry Officials

Accra (Greater Accra) 15 Oct. '99

A 30-member American trade delegation from the city of Orlando, Florida, on Thursday began discussions with officials of the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Accra, over a wide range of investment options.

During the two-hour meeting, the delegation, mostly African-Americans, made in-depth enquiries about investment opportunities in health, tourism, financial services, power, food processing, legal, aviation and the hospitality industry.

The mission was briefed on the country's energy situation, problems associated with land acquisition, appropriate banking and financial service procedures and opportunities and the current state and condition of both the local power generation status and the progress of the West African Gas Pipeline Project.

Apart from the Trade Ministry officials, there were representatives of the Bank of Ghana, Ministries of Tourism, and Mines and Energy.

Others invited, but who failed to attend, for the discussions were the Ministry of Health, the Export Promotion Council and the aviation industry.

Leading the delegation, Mrs. Daisy Lynum, City Commissioner, District Five, Orlando, said the visit is a culmination of the huge interest in both the political and private business divide, punctuated by a common interest to help the "motherland".

It was also the beginning of a long-term effort by Florida to collaborate with Ghana.

Mrs. Lynum said Florida intends to have a consulate, a trade mission, direct flight schedules and expressed the hope that the governments of Ghana and the United States will demonstrate the political will to see the ideas through.

"It does not mean anything when political will is not or cannot be translated into economic reality."

Mr Alzor Reddick, a Florida State Legislator, said efforts by African-Americans to collaborate with their brothers and sisters are aimed at ensuring that poverty and economic deprivation can be eliminated.

Mr Reddick was keen on the establishment of a sister-city relationship, which will enable the two cities of Accra and Orlando to meet some of their emerging challenges.

Mr Joseph Haizel, a Director of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, said Ghana has been waiting for such swift partnerships. "Some of these partnerships were struck during the African African-American Summit in Accra recently", He said.

He gave a brief overview of Ghana's transition from the early eighties where essential services and commodities were non-existent to the current situation of a liberalised economy that seeks to make Ghana a major player in international politics and economic emancipation.

Mr Henry Kumah, a senior official from the Ministry of Tourism, stressed Ghana's interest in creating a unique tourism product with emphasis on cultural and historical site development.

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