Ghana: The Rising Star of West Africa

Ghana is making rapid strides to emerge as a centre for business and distribution in the West Africa region

G hana is making rapid strides as a new market for consumer goods in West Africa. Demand for consumer goods has been rising in Ghana at an average of 20 per cent since 2002.

As the middle-class reaps the benefit of economic reforms, the demand for computers, mobile phones, consumer electronics and home appliances, tyres, automobile parts, stationery, perfumes and cosmrtics has been registering a steady growth.

Dubai has emerged as a major supplier of goods to the West African nation and has emerged as a leading exporter to the country. To further strengthen the trade ties between Ghana and Dubai, a delegation from Ghana led by the country’s vice-president Alhaji Aliu Mahama visited Dubai recently.

While in Dubai, he met with high ranking officials of Dubai Customs World (DCW) including chief executive officer Hamad Mohammad Fadhel Al Mazrooie. The talks centred around the Mirsal-DCW system, a new generation customs clearance and control system developed by DCW.

“The Mirsal system has been developed with a view to plug leakages in the customs department's revenue stream. We have successfully implemented it in Djibouti and are looking forward to sharing our knowledge with countries like Ghana," Al Mazrooie said.

Ghana, a major exporter of cocoa, timber and minerals, has seen a significant increase its trade with Dubai. Dubai's exports to Ghana grew 41 per cent from Dh24.04 million in 2009 to approximately Dh44 million in 2010. On the other hand, Dubai’s imports registered approximately 15 per cent increase for the same period, from Dhs 56.20 million to over Dhs 66 million.

During a visit to the world-renowned Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority, Ghana vice-president Aliu Mahama said that his country wanted to emulate some of the Dubai’s strategies. Speaking to Business Guide during a press conference he said: “We do not want to reinvent the wheel when it concerns economic development. We can learn from you.”