A selection of Ghanaian agribusiness companies visited the UK last week, on a mission to raise the African country’s profile as an exporter and re-establish historical trading links.
EU sponsor Pro€Invest, the West African Business Association and the Ghana Free Zones Board invited delegates from 15 companies, including fresh produce firms, to the event, which included a one-day seminar event, one-to-one meetings and a London wholesale market tour.
“Economic performance in Ghana over the last decade was robust,” said Steve Cameron, principal of African Business Events, which organised the visit. “But constraints still limit exports; namely, a lack of management skills, limited working capital and logistical issues.”
“We are making this the golden age of business in Ghana, and are keen to attract investors that will come in and boost different industries,” said Robert Ahomka-Lindsay, ceo of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre.
Ghanaian Kojo Blankson, quality assurance manager at Waitrose’s Leckford Estate in the UK, told delegates about the standards they would have to meet if they wished to supply the UK. “A regulatory framework can be seen as a hindrance, but I see it as a marketing tool,” he said. While some Ghanaian companies have met UK requirements, others have not, and Blankson believes inadequate logistical capabilities and an underdeveloped supply chain organisation are at the root of this. “We are eager to share in the big markets, but first we have to meet and exceed expectations. Reach an agreement before you ship - become accredited now and get to the top of your game,” he said.
Phillip Symons from Marks & Spencer told the Ghanaians that finding trustworthy importers was vital before sending to the UK. “A good importer will have a strong technical team, that will help you meet the needs of supermarkets,” he said. “You need critical mass to secure your logistics and supply chain, and it is imperative to have genuine point of difference.”
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