Ghana, officially
the Republic of Ghana, is a country in Africa. It borders Côte d'Ivoire
to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf
of Guinea to the south. Accra is the capital and largest city. The country's
population in 2005 was 21,029,000.
It was inhabited in pre-colonial
times by a number of ancient kingdoms, including the inland Ashanti kingdom
and various Fante states along the coast and in land. Trade with European
states flourished after contact with the Portuguese in the fifteenth century,
and the British established a crown colony, Gold Coast, in 1874.
It was the first African country to obtain independence from colonial rule.
Upon achieving independence from the United Kingdom in 1957, the name Ghana
was chosen for the new nation as a to reflect the ancient Empire of Ghana
that once roamed the west of Africa. On March 6, 2007, Ghana celebrated
the fiftieth anniversary of its independence.
We made our journey to Ghana
and the world will never be the same. The trip was indeed historical but
to say it was a total success would be a great understatement. We returned
home. Only Ghana can make that claim. Slavery to the Western Hemisphere
started in Ghana 521 years ago. Of the 46 slave castles that were used
22 were in Ghana. Every nation in the slave business (England, Spain, Portugal,
France, Amsterdam and Arab tribes) utilized Ghana. Thus, after 521 years
of slave descendents intermarrying, it is indeed safe to say that every
one of us whose ancestors were victimized by slavery has some amount of
Ghanaian blood running in our veins. Ghana is home to all of us!
Our reception was truly
overwhelming. We met with President J. A. Kufuor where he talked with each
of us one on one. The event was covered on national television and was
in every newspaper. Ambassador Alan Kyerematen was our personal host and
escort throughout the week. We had personal presentations with 10 cabinet
ministers. The King of Kyebi gave us a very grand reception at his palace.
We were also given 4 evening receptions by US Ambassador Mary Carlin Yates
and three Ghanaian dignitaries.
We will begin establishing
light manufacturing within the Free Trade Zones in Ghana. The first will
be a computer assembly plant by Shikaneh Koncepts from Prince Georges County,
MD. A textile manufacturing assembly plant will come soon also. Working
in the Free Trade Zones is quite attractive. It is tax and duty free.
One must be cognizant that
Ghana's minimum wage is $1 per day. An American sock manufacturer has moved
to Ghana to produce the socks and ship back to the US and is saving $12
million per year just in the cost of doing business.
We will be establishing a
Technical Assistance Program and a Capacity Building Program for the construction
industry of Ghana. Our member architects, general contractors and construction
managers will be continuously engaged in this huge project.
Our IT companies will be
working together with the Ghana IT Association in the deployment of Broadband
and wireless communications throughout the nation.
Ghana will be building 140,000
affordable homes each year for the next six years. Our modular housing
initiative has reached an agreement with the Minister of Housing and will
be participating along with many other housing developers and builders
from within our membership.
Agri-Business presents many
opportunities and we will be aggressive in this area. Fish farms and poultry
raising are just two areas that will command immediate attention.
We are setting up a mutual
fund for the Ghana Stock Market (60% growth in last two years) and will
also be promoting "Dual Citizenship" between Ghana and the US. Tourism
will also be a big growth industry that we will soon oversee.
Going home is so productive,
enjoyable and healthy!
Golden
Tulip Accra A warm welcome to Golden
Tulip Accra, the leading hotel in Ghana. This modern African style 4-star
superior first class hotel has 234 rooms including suites, apartments and
chalets. You will enjoy total hospitality under one roof. This includes
a serene, safe and appealing environment, food and beverage variety, multifarious
recreational outlets, special events and a tradition of genuine friendliness
and courtesy by professional staff. This makes Golden Tulip Accra your
ideal choice whether for business or leisure. Rooms: 234 Total
Rooms. The hotels offers 2 of the most renowned restaurants in Accra,
both open daily for lunch and dinner.
Labadi
Beach Hotel, Accra Set amidst tropical landscaped
gardens adjacent to one of Ghana's most popular beaches in the country's
administrative, communications and economic centre in Accra, the Labadi
Beach Hotel caters for the business and leisure traveller. The beach has
exotic loungers and offers snacks and assorted drinks, waiter service and
permanent security to keep the nuisance factor of the "Entrepreneurs in
check. The beach is mechanically cleaned twice daily with an imported cleaning
machine that sifts the sands to remove unwanted debris. This is surely
the cleanest sand above the high-water mark in Accra. The hotel has a gymnasium
which offers the following facilities:- use of the gymnasium, sauna, swimming
pool and tennis courts.
Novotel
Accra City Centre The Novotel Accra City Centre
is a 4 star hotel ideal for a holiday or business trip to Accra. 7 km from
the airport and close to the conference centre and major banks, the hotel
provides WiFi internet and six meeting rooms for business travellers. Guests
on holiday in the Ghanaian capital will find the Makola Market, museums,
theatre, golf and the beach all nearby. The hotel features a bar, restaurant,
outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, business centre, onsite parking
and a tennis court.
