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Danida creates platform for Ghanaian, Danish businesses
Accra, Mar. 24, Ghanadot/GNA – A fair dubbed: “Techchange fair
2009,” opened in Accra on Tuesday with the aim of providing a
platform for Ghanaian and Danish companies to interact and share
business experiences as well as upgrade skills and technologies
of Ghanaian entrepreneurs.
The fair codenamed Danida’s Business-to-Business (B2B) programme
is a project by the Danish Development Cooperation with the
objective of reducing poverty by promoting economic growth and
social development in developing countries like Ghana.
On the theme: “Creating a Green and Healthy Ghana through
Partnership,” the fair brought together Ghanaian entrepreneurs
working in the water, sanitation and waste management,
agriculture and renewable energy sector and counterparts from
Denmark, who are expected to create partnership with the
Ghanaians and help transfer technological know-how in those
sectors.
Ms Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and
Technology, who commended the Danish government for providing
such a platform in Ghana, urged participants to dialogue more on
renewable energy.
“In the wake of climate change, challenges across the globe…
part of the solution is renewable energy and am happy most of
the companies gathered here are looking for energy efficient
methods in their productive and joint venture activities.”
Ms Ayittey said industries in Ghana, which were energy
intensive, played a critical role within the economy hence the
Ministry’s decision to promote sound environmental practices in
the area of energy, agriculture, water, housing and to ensure
that the sectors remained key players in the socio-economic
growth and development of the country.
The Minister also recommended further investment into research
and development in all the sectors participating in the fair and
said her Ministry was working closely with the private sector to
reduce the demand for electricity and create a healthy
environment.
Ms Ayittey announced that the government had demarcated areas
for pilot projects in strong wind and solar energy, expressing
hope that with the availability of other sources of energy,
Ghana would be the right place to do business.
Mr Stig Barlyng, Danish Ambassador to Ghana, who referred to
Ghana as a potentially rich country, said there was the need for
strong political and policy leadership on the part of government
to create conducive business environment.
“There should be good governance with the focus on fighting
corruption, ensuring strong judiciary and strong public
participation in decision-making and oversight.”
Mr Barlyng said that the government of Ghana and the Danish
government both agreed on the basic principles for development
by eliminating poverty through economic growth and social
development.
“Denmark provided close to one billion Ghana Cedis to
development cooperation with Ghana over the last 20 years;
current commitments is close to 100 million Ghana Cedis
annually,” he said.
Mr Barlyng urged government to promote private sector
development by strengthening the business environment and
stakeholder participation and ownership.
Speaking on Techchange, he said it is an attempt to create a
platform for Danish and Ghanaian businesses men and women to
find areas of partnership.
He said the B2B programme hoped to build trust and openness,
noting that businesses in Ghana and Denmark in the areas of
energy, waste management, waster, housing and agriculture
sectors had direct impact on the environment.
Mr Barlyng commenting on the theme, said environmental
protection and energy efficiency required the intelligent use of
technology, pointing out that Denmark had realized the very good
business perspective and opportunities in Ghana.
Mr Lars Jepsen, Programme Coordinator, said the B2B programme
was expected to be a long term and sustainable partnership
between Ghanaian and Danish businesses.
The programme, he said was in three phases, the first phase
being the contact stage where participants identify partners,
had study visits and cultural workshop as well as pre-investment
meetings.
The second, a pilot one, where further study would be conducted
and the third phase being where there would be technical
assistance and training, environmental measures cost of
establishment and acquisition of equipment.
Mr Jepsen said in all about three to four million dollars would
be spent and added that a fund would be created for skill
development.
Mr Kwesi Kyei Darkwah, Director of Communications at the Ghana
Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), said Ghana was open for
business and the government was committed and supportive of
that.
“The IFC report 2009 ranks Ghana the best place to do business
in West Africa,” he said and noted that there was an ongoing
development of legislation, regulation and administrative
procedures to reduce the cost and time of starting business.
GNA
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