Opening the ECOWAS partnership to Spanish investors

The Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to the Kingdom of Spain, His Excellency Mohammad Adam, has called on the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Spanish Government to consider, within the framework of the Focus Africa 2023 Plan, the inclusion of influential bodies, business entities, investors and multilateral trade organisations operating in Spain at the discussion table as partners for progressive development and the achievement of the objectives of the community body.

In his view, ECOWAS should consider organising a business forum with the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and also with the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE) so that business investors can participate, share their experiences and investment projections with the Commission. This could greatly benefit the organisation in its efforts to maintain peace, economic stability and security in the sub-region.

The Ghanaian Ambassador made this statement during the interaction section with the African Diplomatic Corps in Spain and the ECOWAS leadership during the just concluded SPAIN - ECOWAS seminar held in Madrid, Spain.

The leaders of the ECOWAS Commission, led by the President of the Commission, His Excellency, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, were in the Kingdom of Spain for cooperation talks at the invitation of the Spanish Government as part of the latter's new policy on the Focus Africa 2023 Plan, which seeks to strengthen the mutual interest existing between the two. They were received in the Kingdom by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares Bueno.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the delegation to the seminar and assured the Commission of Spain's unquestionable commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the Community's four major strategic plans, which include, among others, boosting the equity partnership and deepening existing relations, programmes and projects with Spain.

In his remarks, His Excellency Mohammad Adam, Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to the Kingdom of Spain, applauded the relentless efforts of the ECOWAS leadership and its new administration and advised ECOWAS to consider bringing on board entrepreneurs, influential investors and businesses who are willing to support the agenda of combating insecurity and promoting investment in the sub-region.

He said that businesses, industries, factories and companies, traders in general goods, infrastructure and services working and operating in Africa, specifically in West Africa, could progressively contribute to the Organisation if perhaps invited and considered as shareholders. The Ambassador added that, if given the opportunity, these Spanish businessmen could provide the necessary tools to support the ECOWAS region and its agencies by increasing investments, jobs, housing, trade, trade, social services and contributing more to the mechanisms of economic sustainability for the millions of inhabitants of the Community.

Ambassador Mohammad Adam's intervention follows the success of the Spain-Ghana Business Forum held under the auspices of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE) in Spain and the Embassy of Ghana in Madrid as part of measures to boost the former's Focus Africa 2023 Plan in the West African country.

The Spain-Ghana Business Forum was held in the context of the biennial political consultations between the Government of Ghana and Spain, and was one of the main platforms the Embassy provided this year for Spanish investors to learn about Ghana's economic priorities, business and investment opportunities in infrastructure, tourism, water management and sanitation, engineering, energy, technology, innovation, agri-food, among others. The forum brought together more than a hundred business entities and investors under one roof to show their willingness and interest in investing in Ghana and Africa.

At the forum, investors who already have their multi-million dollar investment projects in the sub-Saharan region shared their experiences with new hands willing to consider Ghana and Africa as their next destination for partnership and business benefits.

In this regard, the Ghanaian Ambassador expressed optimism that the participation of the Spanish business community in ECOWAS will open another platform of mutual benefits for both parties in terms of investment projections, ideas and ownership to support peace and economic upliftment of the community.

DSI Gifty Amgborme/The Diplomat

International Diplomatic Assignment, Madrid/Ghana Immigration Service