By Nadia Ntiamoah
President John Dramani Mahama has begun a high-profile working visit to the United Kingdom aimed at strengthening the economic diplomacy, attracting foreign investment, and deepening relations with one of the country’s longest-standing international partners.
The visit, which runs until June 3, comes at a time when the Mahama administration is intensifying efforts to position Ghana as a competitive destination for global investment while pursuing economic recovery, job creation, and increased international partnerships.
President Mahama arrived in London on Saturday and was welcomed by senior British and Ghanaian officials, including Lord Katz MBE of the Royal Household, the United Kingdom Foreign Office’s Special Representative Gordon Wetherell, and Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Sabah Zita Benson.
According to the Presidency, the visit is designed to consolidate the historic relationship between Ghana and the United Kingdom while creating new opportunities for trade, investment, and business collaboration between the two countries.
One of the major highlights of the President’s visit will be a royal audience with King Charles III, a meeting expected to underscore the enduring diplomatic and historical ties between Ghana and the British monarchy.
President Mahama is also scheduled to hold a breakfast meeting with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, where discussions are expected to focus on bilateral cooperation, trade, investment, governance, climate resilience, education, and regional security.
The visit reflects the continued efforts to leverage its strategic relationship with the United Kingdom, one of its key development and investment partners.
Over the years, the UK has remained a major source of foreign direct investment, development assistance, educational exchanges, and business partnerships for Ghana.
As part of his engagements, President Mahama will meet members of the Ghanaian community in the United Kingdom during a town hall meeting to be organized by the Ghana High Commission in London.
The event is expected to provide an opportunity for direct interaction between the President and Ghanaians living abroad, allowing discussions on national development, investment opportunities, and the role of the diaspora in Ghana’s economic transformation.
Successive governments have increasingly recognized the importance of the Ghanaian diaspora, whose remittances contribute significantly to the national economy and whose expertise and investments continue to support development initiatives across various sectors.
A central component of the President’s visit will be the opening of the Ghana-UK Investment Summit at Raffles London on Monday.
The summit is expected to bring together leading Ghanaian business executives, British investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore new investment opportunities and strengthen commercial partnerships.
The event forms part of broader efforts by the government to attract foreign direct investment into key sectors of the economy, including infrastructure, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, technology, mining, tourism, and financial services.
In another symbolic engagement, President Mahama will visit the London Stock Exchange, where he is expected to ring the opening bell to officially commence trading activities.
The ceremony is widely regarded as a prestigious platform that showcases countries seeking to strengthen their visibility within global financial markets and attract international investors.
The President is also scheduled to engage leading policy experts, academics, diplomats, and business executives at Chatham House, one of the world’s most respected international affairs institutions.
His address is expected to focus on the economic outlook, democratic governance, regional stability, and Africa’s evolving role in global affairs.
Additionally, President Mahama will deliver a keynote address at the 12th Africa Debate at London’s historic Guildhall, where he is expected to share his vision for Ghana’s development and discuss broader issues affecting the African continent, including economic integration, investment, climate adaptation, and sustainable growth.
The visit forms part of the administration’s wider economic diplomacy agenda aimed at strengthening international partnerships, promoting the investment potential, and enhancing the country’s visibility within global financial and policy circles.
Government officials believe that attracting greater investment inflows and expanding economic cooperation with strategic partners such as the United Kingdom will play a critical role in achieving the administration’s development objectives and accelerating economic growth.
President Mahama is expected to conclude the visit on June 3 after a series of engagements with government officials, investors, business leaders, development partners, and members of the Ghanaian diaspora community.
