Country Profile
From The Report: Ghana 2012
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This chapter takes a look at Ghana’s history, trade relations and its impact on the regional and global stage. This chapter contains interviews with Mahatir Mohammad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia; Stephen O’Brien, UK Under-Secretary of State for International Development; and viewpoints from President President John Dramani Mahama and Fernando Pimentel, Brazilian Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.
Articles from this Chapter
From past to present: Leveraging strengths to move forward
President John Dramani Mahama on Ghana’s development pathOBGplus
At 55 years old, our country is in good health. The economy is bursting with promise, and in terms of development, we are taking considerable steps along the right path. Over the past three years much has been achieved in pursuance of our “Better Ghana” agenda. Despite the fact that we have experienced some internal and external difficulties, we have reason to believe in Ghana’s hopeful future. The world is interconnected, and caution is a necessity. A recent report by the World Bank has alerted…
Keep calm and carry on: A strong and stable democracy has been built over the yearsOBGplus
In many ways, Ghana’s political scene is one of its most recognisable defining features. Descriptions of the country, including this report, often stress the fact that Ghana, in contrast to many of its neighbours, has had two decades of stable democracy, with free and open elections, comparatively low levels of corruption and a lack of broader social instability. This, combined with rapid economic growth, has helped bolster investment, as have strong relations with the likes of the UK,…
Mutual benefits: The relationship with Nigeria remains crucial, despite a recent disputeOBGplus
As the two largest economies in West Africa, the relationship between Nigeria and Ghana is a crucial one for the region. Trade ties are particularly important, and Nigeria’s high levels of liquidity serve as an important source of capital for Ghana. However, a recent dispute between the two countries concerning the status of Nigerian traders in Ghana is a reminder of past bilateral tensions that have occasionally worsened political and economic relations, although the two countries have…
Fernando Pimentel, Brazilian Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, on Ghana’s growing ties with BrazilOBGplus
Brazil and Ghana are both countries of influence in their respective continents, with strong, energetic economies and steady growth. United by historical and cultural ties, our two nations are also solid commercial partners, with a level of trade that has more than tripled from $106m in 2003 to $446m in 2011. Food products, such as cocoa, cashew nuts, sugar and chicken top the list of imports and exports between the two countries. However, there is room to diversify the number of products we trade…
OBG talks to Mahathir Mohammad, former Prime Minister of MalaysiaOBGplus
Interview: Mahathir Mohammad How can economic collaboration between Southeast Asia and Africa be further enhanced? MAHATHIR MOHAMMAD: There is always the potential for further economic collaboration between South-east Asia and Africa. Despite their different degrees of economic growth, both regions have had to deal with managing natural resources and a rising foreign interest in their economies. China and other Asian countries are looking to partner with Africa and have become major players in…
OBG talks to Stephen O’Brien, UK Under-Secretary of State for International DevelopmentOBGplus
Interview: Stephen O’Brien How can African countries balance the need for increased capital inflows with the sustainable management of natural resources and inclusive growth? STEPHEN O’BRIEN: Huge revenue streams bring about the possibility of transformative growth if the money is not wasted or, worse, used in a way that damages governance and economic progress. It is also important to note that whilst extractive booms almost always boost GDP, this often does not translate into development. The…
The ties that bind: An important player on both the regional and world stageOBGplus
Ever since gaining its independence from the UK in 1957, sub-Saharan Africa’s first self-governing nation has strived to follow a path of cooperation and active participation in the international community. As one of Africa’s most stable and progressive democracies, Ghana’s influence in regional affairs and international diplomacy has been solidified over the years, aided by repeated efforts to strengthen the functioning of multilateral institutions. MAKING A MARK: Historic involvement…
Growing together: The ECOWAS countries are looking to deepen the level of integrationOBGplus
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) represents a grand ambition. Dedicated to establishing a single currency and Customs union, with fully integrated economies and open borders, the path ahead for ECOWAS is a challenging one, involving sensitive decisions on issues of economic sovereignty and a significant amount of political will. The tribulations of the EU bear witness to the complexity of establishing a truly common market, and the idiosyncrasies of West Africa make…
