The Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra played host to a distinguished gathering of policymakers, business leaders, investors, and development partners on Monday, March 30, for the Mövenpick Accra Business Forum.
The event, held under the theme “Building Confidence in Ghana’s Business Climate – Taxation, Forex, and Investment Outlook,” aimed to foster dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders to address the critical challenges and opportunities within Ghana’s dynamic business environment
The General Manager of the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, Isaac Okpoti Adjei Esq., opened the forum with a heartfelt welcome, highlighting the significance of the gathering in shaping Ghana’s economic trajectory.
“It is my great pleasure to warmly welcome you all to the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra for this important and timely forum,” Mr. Adjei stated.
“We are truly honoured to host such a distinguished gathering of policymakers, business leaders, investors, and development partners – individuals and institutions whose decisions and leadership continue to shape the trajectory of Ghana’s economy.”
Adjei further underscored that the hotel’s role extends beyond being just a hospitality destination.
“At Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra, we pride ourselves on being more than a hospitality destination. We see ourselves as a convening platform for ideas, dialogue, and partnerships that drive progress,” he explained.
He stressed that the forum provided a valuable opportunity for participants to discuss pressing issues such as taxation, foreign exchange, and investment, with the aim of creating a more sustainable and predictable business environment.
Mr. Adjei stressed the importance of confidence in driving economic growth, stating that it is the cornerstone of investment and long-term prosperity.
“Confidence is, after all, the currency that drives investment, fuels growth, and sustains long-term prosperity,” he explained.
According to Mr. Adjei, Ghana is at a crucial moment in its economic evolution, and the continued resilience in the face of both global and domestic challenges depends on building and maintaining investor confidence in key areas such as policy direction, macroeconomic stability, and the ease of doing business.
The general manager also noted that the forum’s discussions aimed to focus on these key areas of confidence, offering an opportunity for participants to share insights, collaborate, and identify solutions that could shape the future of the country’s business climate.
As the day’s discussions unfolded, Adjei highlighted the importance of clarity, consistency, and transparency in areas like taxation, foreign exchange, and investment.
“Clarity, consistency, and transparency in these areas are essential to unlocking the full potential of both local enterprises and international capital,” he said.
The forum provided a vital platform for both public and private sector leaders to exchange insights, challenge assumptions, and work together to enhance Ghana’s position as a preferred investment destination in Africa.
“Through constructive engagement, we can collectively identify solutions, align expectations, and reinforce Ghana’s standing as a competitive player on the African continent,” Mr. Adjei stated.
Registrar of Companies, Mrs. Maame Semma Peprah, delivered a speech on the role of confidence in business development, emphasising the importance of strong institutions.
“Confidence is the currency of investment,” she remarked, explaining that it is built through clear rules, consistent actions, and the strength of institutions.
Mrs. Peprah went on to explain that while incentives play a role in attracting investment, it is the creation of predictable, transparent, and efficient systems that truly foster a competitive business environment.
Her speech also touched on the role of the Office of the Registrar of Companies in advancing Ghana’s economic agenda, with a focus on streamlining business registration processes and digitalising services.
By eliminating uncertainty and reducing friction in the process of formalising a business in Ghana, Peprah argued, Ghana can accelerate entrepreneurship and improve the overall ease of doing business.
Mrs. Peprah emphasised the introduction of the Bulk Set Platform, which provides investors with timely access to reliable corporate information for better decision-making.
She also highlighted the operationalisation of the Beneficial Ownership Register, a key step toward enhancing corporate governance and transparency in Ghana.
“By identifying the natural persons who ultimately own or control companies, we are addressing a critical gap in corporate accountability,” she said.
Furthermore, Mrs. Peprah spoke about the growing importance of fostering a culture of compliance within Ghana’s corporate environment.
“Compliance is not a cost to avoid. It is a strategic advantage,” she noted, adding that businesses adhering to strong governance standards are more credible and competitive, attracting both local and foreign investments.
The Commissioner of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD) at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Dr. Martin Kolbil Yamborigya, presented a detailed analysis of the government’s tax reforms and the importance of enhancing tax compliance.
He outlined the government’s ongoing efforts to restore investor confidence by improving tax mobilisation and reducing barriers to business.
“The aim is not just to increase revenue but to make the business environment more conducive for growth,” he explained.
Dr. Yamborigya also discussed the VAT reforms, including the abolition of certain taxes and the introduction of a more simplified VAT structure.
These changes aim to ease the tax burden on businesses and improve the neutrality of the tax system. He further addressed the challenges of VAT compliance, noting the significant VAT gap and the government’s efforts to close it through digitalisation and better enforcement.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Simon Madjie, offered a promising outlook for Ghana’s investment climate. Mr. Madjie shared positive economic indicators, including a projected GDP growth rate of 6% by 2025 and a dramatic reduction in inflation from 22% in 2024 to 3.3% in 2026.
“Our economy is stabilising, and confidence is returning,” he said, pointing to the success of fiscal consolidation measures and the continued commitment to Ghana’s IMF programme.
Mr. Madjie also spoke about the government’s bold steps in improving the tax climate, including the removal of the e-levy and other distortive levies.
He emphasised the importance of a stable foreign exchange market for maintaining investor confidence, noting that the government’s efforts to stabilise the cedi have created a more predictable environment for investors.
Mr. Madjie shared encouraging statistics on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Ghana, noting that in 2025, the country attracted over $2.6 billion in FDI.
This influx of investment, primarily directed towards the petroleum sector and free zones, signals ongoing industrial activity and value-chain expansion in the country.
“These investments are not just numbers; they represent technology transfer, industrial growth, and tangible improvements in the lives of Ghanaians,” Mr. Madjie said.
He also highlighted the GIPC’s ongoing efforts to streamline investor facilitation, with initiatives such as simplified registration processes, reduced turnaround times, and a premium 24-hour service for investors.
Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem Nyarko, emphasised the importance of confidence in driving economic growth.
“Not the city, not the dollar, but confidence,” he said, stressing that investor confidence is critical for capital movement, job creation, and business expansion.
He outlined Ghana’s economic progress, including a remarkable turnaround in the trade balance, improved inflation rates, and an upswing in gross international reserves.
Mr. Nyarko also called for continued collaboration between the private sector, development partners, and the government to build a predictable, stable, and transparent business environment.
“Ghana is not just recovering; Ghana is becoming predictable. In business, predictability is power,” he noted.
The Mövenpick Accra Business Forum 2026 provided a critical platform for stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions aimed at shaping the future of Ghana’s business climate.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com