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Victor Emmanuel Smith, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, has called for stronger and more purposeful partnerships between Ghana and the United States, emphasizing the need to move beyond traditional aid toward investment-led collaboration and sustainable development.
Speaking at the Ghana–Seattle Forum in Seattle, the Ambassador explained that relations between the United States and Africa are evolving into what he described as “commercial diplomacy”—a model built on mutual benefit, trade, and long-term cooperation. According to him, the global narrative is shifting, with Africa increasingly recognized as a key driver of future economic growth due to its youthful population, expanding markets, and abundant resources.
He noted that Ghana is positioning itself to take advantage of this shift by prioritizing trade, investment, and innovation to drive job creation and industrial growth. Drawing inspiration from Seattle’s vibrant innovation ecosystem, he stressed that Ghana is ready to welcome investors and build meaningful partnerships that support its development goals. In his words, the country stands at a critical stage in its economic transformation and is open to opportunities that foster shared prosperity.
The Ambassador identified several key sectors with strong investment potential, including agriculture, energy, infrastructure, industrialization, and the digital economy. He also highlighted Ghana’s strategic role under the African Continental Free Trade Area, which provides access to a market of over 1.3 billion people, positioning the country as a gateway to the broader African market.
On youth development, he acknowledged progress in digital access but pointed out the need to build advanced technical skills. He emphasized the importance of partnerships that go beyond basic training to nurturing innovation, entrepreneurship, and globally competitive talent. He therefore called for collaboration in areas such as technical education, internships, innovation hubs, and skills development initiatives.
In addition, Victor Emmanuel Smith encouraged deeper cooperation in the healthcare sector, particularly in medical training, infrastructure, and technology, to enhance service delivery. He also underscored the importance of the Ghanaian diaspora, noting that stronger connections with global cities like Seattle can drive innovation, investment, and inclusive growth.
Overall, his message reflected a forward-looking vision—one that sees Ghana not just as a recipient of support, but as an active partner ready to engage, innovate, and grow alongside global partners.
Source:Omanghana.com
