By Albert Allotey
Accra, June 26, GNA – The two-day 12th WCI Forum 2026 has ended in Accra with a call on African leaders to create an enabling environment to aid young people to develop their potentials.
Mr Benard Ahiafor, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament who made the call in a speech said across Africa and around the world a new generation of business leaders were harnessing technology to create solutions.
He emphasised that the new leaders were opening new markets, and driving economic transformation, in ways that were unimaginable.
He said it was therefore the responsibility of African leaders to create an environment in which these potentials could thrive through the encouragement of innovation, rewards for enterprise, provision of investment, and the nurturing of partnerships.
Mr Ahiafor said one of the greatest assets any nation could find resided in its people and that the future was built by those who transform ideas into action.
He said over the years, Ghana and Turkey had strengthened diplomatic relations, expanded trade and investment opportunities, and cultivated valued partnerships across infrastructure, manufacturing, education, healthcare, tourism, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
“These partnerships represent far more than economic transformation; they create jobs for young people, empower entrepreneurs, strengthen local industries, and built resilient economy capable of competing successfully in an increasing interconnected world,” he stated.
He added that most importantly they improved the quality of lives of ordinary citizens and contributed to shared prosperity.
Mr Ahiafor said as Parliament continued to discharge its constitutional mandate, it would remain committed to supporting policies and legislative frameworks that would promote economic growth, attract investment, and encourage entrepreneurship, and deepen international cooperation.
“We recognised that the future prosperity of our economy would depend increasingly on our ability to build bridges across nations; connect markets, facilitate innovation, and create opportunities that transcend borders,” he said.
He noted that the significance of the forum extended far beyond networking and commercial engagement, adding, “It is a platform for dialogue, learning, innovation, and forging partnerships that can unlock new opportunities for trade, investment, industrial growth, and sustainable development.”
He commended the organisers of the forum and for bringing stakeholders across the globe to engage in meaningful dialogue on trade, investment, economic cooperation, and sustainable development.
Mr Huseyin Gungor, the Turkish Ambassador to Ghana said there were many great business potentials in Ghana and urged the small and medium enterprises to collaborate with Turkish businesses to build trusted partnerships and to create economic success stories for both countries.
Mr Anil Utku Bengisu, President of WCI in a speech said the forum has become a place where friendships become partnerships, ideas become investments, and meetings become tomorrow’s success stories.
“Twelve years ago, I came to Ghana with a small dream and at Labadi Trade Fair Centre, I organised my first small forum and brought seven or eight Turkish companies to Ghana,” he stated.
He added, “Today I am proud to say that nearly 100 Turkish business leaders and manufactures have travelled thousands of kilometres to Ghana to meet with you. Please don’t hesitate to engage them.
“The forum is no longer an event, it is a story of friendship, trust, and a story of Ghana and Turkey growing together.”
Mr Bengisu invited their Ghanaian business counterparts to the 15th WCI Forum in Istanbul, Turkey from October 14-15, 2026, saying “You have broken records before. You came with 126 Ghanaian business leaders. I believe this year Ghana will shine even brighter.
He said, “And also in April 2027, we will welcome Ghana once again to Bursa, for our giant Construction Machinery Exhibition, where we will create new partnerships.”
Mr Emmanuel Kwashie Agbodzi. The Chief Executive Officer of 10G GlobalTech Limited, the organisers of the forum in a speech said the event was more than a meeting, but an opportunity for business leaders and policymakers to build bridges between nations, institutions, and people who were committed to creating a better future.
He said the world was changing rapidly and technology was reshaping industries, while global markets were evolving, and nations were increasingly connected by trade, innovation, and investment.
Mr Agbodzi noted that in such environment, no country could succeed alone and that the future belonged to those who collaborate, innovate, and create partnerships that deliver shared prosperity.
He said Ghana and Turkey have demonstrated what could be achieved through mutual respect and strategic cooperation.
He said forum has provided an important platform to deepen those relationships, explore new opportunities, and develop partnerships that create jobs, drive innovation, and support sustainable economic growth.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba