Written by Godwill Arthur Mensah
Accra, January 31, GNA – The Government has signed a series of Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom (UK) Association Motor Manufacturing, Trade and Vehicle Development Center (SMMT) to explore opportunities for mutual benefit in Ghana’s automotive industry. concluded. advantage.
The agreement will encourage companies to invest in automobiles, including in electric vehicles (EVs).
A Memorandum of Understanding on Science, Technology and Innovation was also signed to promote economic prosperity through science and technology.
The MoU was signed during the 9th UK-Ghana Business Council (UKGBC) meeting held at Jubilee House in Accra on Wednesday.
This will ensure the transfer of skills, knowledge and technology between the UK SMMT and the Ghanaian automotive industry.
Ashley Fernyhoff, UK SMMT Chief Executive, signed on behalf of the UK Government, and Dr Kwaku Afriyi, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, signed on behalf of Ghana.
The agreement was witnessed by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice-President of Ghana, and Andrew Mitchell, UK Secretary of State, Development and Africa.
During the meeting, members of the UK-Ghana Business Council discussed several global climate finance structures.
Leaders welcomed Ghana’s efforts to open up climate finance to support a pipeline of impactful climate change activities in areas such as carbon finance blends, electric vehicles, shipping and the hydrogen economy.
The Board welcomed the announcement of the UK’s Green Cities and Infrastructure Technical Assistance Program for Ghana.
The program will focus on providing climate finance, low-carbon and climate-resilient infrastructure, and will help cities become centers of innovation while driving sustainable economic growth.
Board members also welcomed the success of the Automotive Sector Investor Mission, which took place from 22 to 26 January 2024.
The event brought together leading UK automotive companies to explore opportunities in Ghana’s automotive sector.
Against this backdrop, Council members agreed to work collaboratively to identify opportunities to support Ghana’s industrial transformation in the automotive and e-mobility industries, pharmaceutical manufacturing and clothing sectors.
The Council has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the UK Social Motor Manufacturers and Traders Forum and the Department for Trade’s Automotive Development Center to pursue a skills, knowledge and technology transfer partnership as part of the JET programme. welcomed the signature.
Members celebrated British International Investment’s Growth Investment Partners Fund’s first investment in a Ghanaian company.
The conference co-chairs acknowledged that the council had made significant progress since its inception in 2018.
Board members agreed to continue to drive forward work on UKGBC’s priority areas to deepen the UK-Ghana relationship, while exploring other areas such as climate finance and electric vehicles.
The next UKGBC conference will be held in summer 2024.
GNA