By Iddi Yire
Accra, Oct 06, GNA – At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, will pay a state visit to China on October 10.
President Mahama made the disclosure over the weekend when he cut the sod for the construction of Bright International Amusement Park at Afienya near Tema.
The facility, which is being constructed by a Chinese company, Greenhouse International Development Group, will take three years to complete and will be powered by the Bui Power Authority.
Upon completion, the facility is set to create jobs, stimulate local economic growth and promote women’s empowerment through inclusive employment opportunities.
President Mahama said Ghana was an attractive destination for investment; declaring that “it’s open for investment, Ghana is open for business again, because we’re carrying out the reforms that will make Ghana the most attractive destination for investment”.
“All the macro indicators are looking well. Inflation is falling sharply, the economy has stabilized, we’ve overachieved on the primary balance, and business confidence is going up, consumer confidence is going up, and our currency is relatively stable than it was in the past.”
This, the President said gives a very good environment for business people to come to Ghana and do business.
He said during his visit to China, he would report to his Chinese counterpart, President Xi that his countrymen were doing very well in investing in Ghana; saying “and I should send more of them to come and invest with us”.
“I can assure you that we’ll have an open door to support business people who come and invest, including our Chinese businessmen,” President Mahama said.
“We’ll make it easy for you to transact your foreign exchange, we’ll make it easy for you to repatriate your profits to wherever you have to send them.
“We’re going to make the tax system so simple that it will not create any complications in your minds. And we’ll protect your investments. We’ll make sure that your investments are protected and that nobody messes in on your investments. We have an open door.”
The President said currently, negotiations were ongoing with the United States about the 15 per cent tariff that was slapped on Ghana.
He said the Government of Ghana was also negotiating with the United States for a restoration of the zero per cent Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Policy.
“If that happens, we can attract more Asian businesses, more Chinese businesses to come and join and produce here for export into the American markets too,” he said.
The President said Greenhouse International Development Group had assured him that the construction of the Bright International Amusement Park itself, together with the golf course and other facilities, would be completed in two years; and that the hotel, residential homes, and other ancillary facilities would be completed in three years.
President Mahama said if one does the calculation properly, two years and three years for the project’s completion, falls very well within his tenure in office.
“So, I can safely say that before my term of office ends, we’ll gather here together again, this time not for sword cutting, but for commissioning of the Bright International Amusement Park,” he stated.
Mr Zheng Xiangming, the Chairman of Greenhouse International Development Group, in his remarks noted that the Bright International Amusement Park would stand as another milestone in the friendship between Ghana and China.
“In the future, we will deeply integrate into Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy, ensuring that this place is vibrant by day and brilliantly lit by night,” he stated.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah