20 January 2025 – Gürsel Baran, Chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO), received Sheikh Abdul Nasiru-Deen, Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to Ankara, and his accompanying delegation at his office.

During the meeting, the parties discussed economic and commercial relations between Türkiye and Ghana, emerging investment opportunities in West Africa, and avenues to enhance cooperation between the respective business communities.

Chairman Baran expressed his pleasure at hosting the Ambassador and noted that relations between Türkiye and Ghana continue to develop on the basis of mutual respect and friendship. Recalling the visit of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Ghana in 2016, Baran stated that the visit had added strategic depth and momentum to bilateral relations.

USD 1 BILLION TRADE TARGET

Chairman Baran noted that the bilateral trade volume between the two countries reached USD 574 million in 2024, of which USD 401 million constituted Türkiye's exports.

"Despite the geographical distance of thousands of kilometers, I believe that if we effectively leverage our existing potential, we can increase this figure to USD 1 billion in a short period of time," he stated.

Highlighting Ghana's strategic position in West Africa, Baran emphasized that a stronger presence of the Turkish business community in the region would contribute both to Türkiye's export targets and to its broader Africa outreach strategy. He underlined that Ankara's business community is open to trade, investment, and joint projects with Ghana, and stressed the importance of intensifying reciprocal contacts.

INVESTMENT INVITATION TO GHANA

Ambassador Sheikh Abdul Nasiru-Deen, in his remarks, invited Turkish companies to invest in Ghana, stating that companies manufacturing in Ghana would be able to export duty-free to 54 African countries.

The Ambassador emphasized that Turkish entrepreneurs could engage in production particularly in the agricultural sector—most notably in cashew cultivation—as well as in mining activities including manganese, bauxite, iron, and lithium.

He further noted that Ghana provides significant incentives to foreign investors, including the duty-free importation of machinery and tax holidays.

Ambassador Nasiru-Deen also stated that Turkish business representatives could establish a permanent marketplace in Ghana where they would be able to sell all their products without time limitations.

"Through trade fairs, sales are generally limited to a few days. However, by establishing a marketplace—a centralized commercial hub—in our country, Turkish goods may be sold on a continuous basis," he said.

The Ambassador underlined that Turkish products are widely appreciated and favorably received in Ghana.