President John Dramani Mahama held a high level breakfast meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at No. 10 Downing Street as part of his official visit to the United Kingdom, further strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both leaders to discuss a range of issues, including the enhancement of Ghana United Kingdom relations, the expansion of trade and investment opportunities, deeper economic cooperation, and shared development priorities.
President Mahama was accompanied by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare, and Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Ambassador Sabah Zita Benson.
The engagement formed part of a broader programme of activities undertaken by the President during his official visit, which has focused heavily on attracting investment, strengthening bilateral partnerships, and promoting Ghana’s economic transformation agenda.
Visit Anchored by Investment Summit
The meeting with Prime Minister Starmer came against the backdrop of the Ghana UK Investment Summit 2026, which served as the flagship event of President Mahama’s visit to Britain.
Before the summit, the President met members of the Ghanaian community in London during a Diaspora Townhall Meeting on May 31. The event provided an opportunity for Ghanaians living in the United Kingdom to engage directly with the President on governance, economic opportunities, and national development priorities.
The townhall formed part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen engagement with the Ghanaian diaspora and encourage greater participation in national development initiatives.
The following day, President Mahama officially opened the Ghana UK Investment Summit, a major economic forum designed to strengthen investor confidence and showcase opportunities within Ghana’s economy.
Held under the theme “Restoring Investor Confidence to Unlock Opportunities and Shared Prosperity,” the summit brought together business leaders, institutional investors, policymakers, and development partners seeking to explore investment prospects in Ghana.
Landmark Growth Partnership Signed
One of the most significant outcomes of the summit was the signing of a £215 million UK Ghana Growth Partnership Agreement, which will serve as a roadmap for cooperation between the two countries from 2026 to 2028.
President Mahama described the agreement as a major step toward strengthening economic collaboration and delivering practical benefits for businesses and citizens. The partnership includes several major projects across infrastructure, climate action, education, technology, and private sector development.
Among the flagship initiatives is the £101 million Takoradi Floating Dock Project, which is expected to establish the Gulf of Guinea’s first commercial scale ship repair and dry docking facility.
The project is projected to generate approximately 430 direct jobs and position Ghana as a leading maritime services hub within the region.
The agreement also unlocks an £85 million reforestation fund alongside a separate £9 million investment dedicated to forest restoration efforts in the Oti Region.
Additional resources have been earmarked to support youth development, skills training, infrastructure expansion, and private sector growth.
Mahama Highlights Economic Progress
Addressing international investors during the summit, President Mahama outlined the government’s economic achievements and vision for long term growth.
He stressed the need for Ghana to move beyond reliance on raw material exports and strengthen domestic production and value addition. “Ghana must become a production hub, not merely a source of raw commodities,” he declared.
The President highlighted several indicators which he said demonstrate the country’s improving economic outlook. According to him, Ghana’s economy expanded by six percent in 2025, pushing gross domestic product beyond 114 billion dollars and making the country the eighth largest economy in Africa.
He also pointed to declining inflation, improved currency stability, and stronger investor confidence as evidence of economic recovery. Inflation, he noted, had fallen to 3.4 percent by April 2026, while the Ghana cedi had emerged as one of the strongest performing currencies during the period.
The President further cited recent sovereign credit rating upgrades from major international agencies as proof that fiscal discipline and economic reforms are producing positive results.
Key Policies Presented to Investors
President Mahama used the summit to present a number of flagship policy initiatives intended to support economic transformation and attract investment.
Among them was the government’s 24 Hour Economy policy, which seeks to increase productivity by encouraging round the clock utilisation of infrastructure, logistics, manufacturing facilities, and other productive sectors.
The President described the initiative as a central component of efforts to accelerate industrialisation, create jobs, and boost exports.
He also highlighted the government’s proposed 10 billion dollar Big Push infrastructure programme, which aims to expand roads, transportation networks, energy infrastructure, and logistics systems across the country.
Another policy priority presented to investors was the government’s New Economy Framework, expected to feature prominently in future economic planning and designed to support commercial agriculture, mining value addition, financial technology, and industrial growth.
The President additionally referenced tax incentives introduced in the 2026 budget, including the abolition of value added tax on mineral prospecting and extensions of zero rated VAT benefits for local textile manufacturers through 2028.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
The breakfast meeting between President Mahama and Prime Minister Starmer capped a series of engagements aimed at deepening cooperation between Ghana and the United Kingdom.
The discussions reflected the strong relationship between the two countries and their shared interest in expanding trade, investment, and development collaboration.
For Ghana, the visit provided an opportunity to present its economic reform agenda, attract international investment, and strengthen partnerships that support long term development objectives.
As the visit concludes, the outcomes of the summit and the newly signed growth partnership are expected to shape economic cooperation between Ghana and the United Kingdom over the coming years, while creating new opportunities for businesses, investors, and citizens in both countries.
READ ALSO: IShowSpeed Drops Viral World Cup Anthem Ahead of 2026 Tournament
