President John Dramani Mahama has called on Belarusian businesses to deepen their engagement with Ghana by exploring investment opportunities in healthcare, artificial intelligence, industrial manufacturing and infrastructure development.
Addressing the Ghana-Belarus Business Forum during his five day state visit to Belarus, President Mahama outlined Ghana’s vision for economic transformation and invited Belarusian investors to become partners in the country’s development agenda.
The President stressed that Ghana’s relationship with Belarus should be measured not by diplomatic exchanges alone but by the practical outcomes that improve the lives of citizens in both countries.
“The true measure of our relationship should not be the number of agreements we sign. It should be the number of results that are measurable, the jobs that we create, the technology that we transfer and the investments that we mobilise together”.
President John Dramani Mahama
Healthcare Transformation Presents New Opportunities
President Mahama identified healthcare as one of the sectors with significant potential for collaboration between Ghana and Belarus.
According to him, the government is pursuing an ambitious programme aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare services while investing in specialised medical facilities across the country.
“My government is expanding access to quality healthcare while investing in specialised facilities for cancer treatment, vaccine production and medical research”.
President John Dramani Mahama
He explained that Ghana sees enormous opportunities for partnerships in pharmaceutical production, the manufacturing of medical equipment, diagnostics, telemedicine and healthcare technologies.
“We see significant opportunities for collaboration in the production of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment manufacturing, diagnostics, telemedicine and healthcare technologies. Belarusian expertise can play an important role in supporting Ghana’s healthcare transformation agenda,” President Mahama noted.
President John Dramani Mahama
Ghana Positions Itself as a Digital Economy Leader
The President also highlighted Ghana’s commitment to becoming a leading digital economy on the African continent through strategic investments in technology and innovation.
He revealed that Ghana had launched its National Artificial Intelligence initiative known as AI for Good and was simultaneously expanding science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, digital skills training and innovation ecosystems.
“And so Ghana is positioning itself to become a leading digital economy in Africa. We have launched our National Artificial Intelligence Structure, which is titled AI for Good”.
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama disclosed that a major technology and artificial intelligence hub was currently under development in Ghana. The facility, he said, would create opportunities in areas such as data centres, cybersecurity, financial technology, agricultural technology, health technology and business process outsourcing.
He encouraged Belarusian companies to explore partnerships in software development, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, technology transfer and innovation. “We welcome Belarusian partnerships in software development, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, technology transfer and innovation,” he added.
Driving Industrialisation Through Value Addition
President Mahama reiterated the government’s commitment to moving Ghana away from dependence on raw material exports toward value addition and industrial development. “Our push is clear. We seek to move beyond just exporting raw material and create value within Ghana,” he declared.
He identified several sectors offering investment potential, including mining services, mineral processing, industrial equipment manufacturing, textiles, housing, construction materials and renewable energy.
The President announced that discussions had already advanced with Belarusian manufacturers of mining equipment, with a delegation expected in Ghana in the coming days to explore areas of cooperation.
“I’m pleased to note that we have already reached an agreement with Belarus, manufacturers of mining equipment, to visit Ghana as early as next week”.
President John Dramani Mahama
Infrastructure Programme Offers Investment Prospects
Infrastructure development featured prominently in President Mahama’s presentation to the business community. He explained that Ghana’s ten billion dollar five year Big Push infrastructure programme was creating substantial opportunities for foreign investors.
Through the initiative, government intends to expand and modernise roads, railways, ports, airports, energy facilities and logistics systems. “These investments are designed to improve connectivity, reduce business costs and enhance competitiveness,” he said.
The President emphasised that Belarusian expertise in transport infrastructure, power systems, industrial parts manufacturing, logistics, road construction, railway development and renewable energy could significantly contribute to Ghana’s infrastructure ambitions. “Opportunities abound for us to collaborate,” he stated.
Ghana Offers Stability and Market Access
Seeking to reassure potential investors, President Mahama described Ghana as one of Africa’s most attractive investment destinations. He said businesses today prioritise certainty, stability and market access and insisted that Ghana provides all three conditions.
“Our political credentials are strong, our legal and regulatory systems are transparent, investor protection is robust and we guarantee repatriation of profits”.
President John Dramani Mahama
The President noted that investors establishing operations in Ghana gain access not only to the country’s domestic market but also to broader regional opportunities through the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He explained that Ghana offers businesses a strategic gateway into a continental market of more than one billion people. “For businesses seeking a strategic gateway to Africa, Ghana remains one of the continent’s most attractive destinations,” he said.
From Dialogue to Concrete Results
President Mahama urged the Ghanaian and Belarusian business communities to convert goodwill into practical partnerships capable of delivering tangible benefits.
He referenced the three Memoranda of Understanding signed between the two countries covering agricultural cooperation, trade and economic collaboration and partnerships between their chambers of commerce.
“Together we can turn goodwill into investment. We can build on these partnerships to invest in production, to turn production into export,” he remarked. The President challenged businesses to move beyond discussions and pursue concrete initiatives capable of creating jobs, promoting technology transfer and strengthening economic ties.
“Let us move our discussions into deals and partnerships. And to transform those partnerships into projects. And to transform opportunities into lasting economic success”.
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama expressed confidence that the growing partnership between Ghana and Belarus would contribute significantly to shared prosperity and sustainable development for future generations in both countries.
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