The High Commissioner of Ghana to South Africa, His Excellency Benjamin Anani Quashie, met with members of the Ghanaian Business Community on 23rd October 2025, at the High Commission in Pretoria. The primary objective of the meeting was part of the Mission’s efforts to bring the Business Community together, towards forming a group to be monitored by its Trade and Investment Section, thereby maximising benefits through synergies in support of the Reset Agenda Initiative introduced by President John Dramani Mahama.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency Benjamin Anani Quashie, Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, welcomed the participants and underscored the importance of the meeting in fostering an enabling environment for networking and establishing business relationships. He highlighted several favourable business opportunities available under the current administration, including the Women’s Development Bank—an initiative aimed at providing interest-free loans to women entrepreneurs and the 24-Hour Economy Initiative, designed to create new markets and jobs. The High Commissioner also noted the infrastructure support available through the FEED Ghana Programme for agro-processing and participation in an export-led economy focusing on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which offers market access to 1.3 billion people and an estimated GDP of $3.4 trillion.
Referencing a recent orientation programme for newly appointed Heads of Mission, the High Commissioner further discussed the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) launched by President Mahama. He detailed how these KPIs were country-specific and provided a foundational framework for assessing the performance of Ghana’s diplomatic missions. The High Commissioner further indicated that the KPIs marked a significant shift from merely enhancing relations to achieving measurable economic outcomes.
His Excellency Quashie emphasised that a crucial aspect of the KPIs could be realised through improved trade relations, aligning with Ghana’s Foreign Policy Objectives, particularly on Economic Diplomacy. He urged the participants to focus on attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), diversification of Ghana’s export base, and actively seeking markets for Ghanaian products while capitalising on preferential trade agreements to promote the country’s self-reliance.
Additionally, recognising the limited representation of women in attendance, the High Commissioner encouraged the group to consider inviting more women, particularly the numerous Ghanaian Beauticians in South Africa who operate hairdressing salons.
Finally, under the supervision of the Trade Attaché, Mr. Mamuda Osman, the High Commissioner entreated members of the group to pursue the drafting of the framework to regulate activities of the Group.
