Ambassador Victor Smith with the Deputy Mayor of Seattle, Brian Surratt.
Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Smith, used a visit to Seattle to advance Ghana’s drive for American investment, addressing business leaders and holding discussions with local government officials aimed at strengthening economic partnerships between Ghana and the Pacific Northwest.
The ambassador spoke at a business forum that brought together companies and entrepreneurs from across the Seattle metropolitan area.
He urged participants to look beyond traditional remittances and consider long-term, structured investments in Ghana.
“We invite you to move beyond remittances and towards structured investments, joint ventures, venture capital participation, technology transfer and skills exchange,” Ambassador Smith said, noting that the Government of Ghana is committed to providing the policy frameworks needed to protect and support investors.
He described Ghana as a stable and credible investment destination at a time of global uncertainty.
“In a world marked by uncertainty, from geopolitical tensions to shifting economic dynamics, Ghana remains a beacon of stability and democratic governance in West Africa,” the ambassador said.
“We are not asking you to take a leap of faith. We are inviting you to take a step of confidence based on facts, reforms, and a straightforward vision for growth.”
Ghanaian-born Deputy Mayor of Shoreline, Washington, Eben Pobee, underscored the strategic importance of connecting American businesses—particularly those in the Pacific Northwest—with investment opportunities in Ghana.
“I am hoping the ambassador’s visit will rekindle the urge for businesses in America, especially the Seattle area, to invest in Ghana,” Pobee said.
The visit by Ambassador Smith is a milestone for the Ghanaian community. The President of the Ghana Association of Greater Seattle (GHASEA), Dr Francis Abugbilla, said the ambassador’s presence in Seattle—the first such visit in more than three decades—signals the urgency of Ghana’s investment agenda.
“GHASEA stands ready as a committed partner to support the vision, especially in trade and investment,” Dr Abugbilla said.
“Our community includes professionals, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders eager to contribute to Ghana’s economic transformation.”
The business forum featured entrepreneurs and professionals drawn from the African Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest (ACCPNW), a longstanding organisation that promotes trade and investment between Africa and the Pacific Northwest.
The gathering also reflected broader participation from Seattle’s African business and professional ecosystem, which includes groups such as the Washington State Coalition of African Community Leaders (WSCACL), Africatown–Central District, the Washington African Diaspora Commission, and several East and West African business networks operating across King County.
Visit to Seattle City Hall
As part of the visit, Ambassador Smith and members of his delegation paid a courtesy call on Seattle City Hall, where Deputy Mayor Brian Surratt received them.
Discussions focused on strengthening city-to-nation relationships, people-to-people diplomacy, and expanding avenues for Seattle-based businesses to engage with Ghana’s growing economy.
The visit reflects a deliberate effort to position Ghana as an investment-ready partner while mobilising diaspora leadership and local government allies to deepen economic ties between Ghana and the Pacific Northwest.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Source: www.myjoyonline.com