By Seth Danquah, GNA Special Correspondent, Istanbul
Istanbul (Turkey), Oct. 20, GNA – Mr Utku Bengisu, a Turkish businessman and President of the World Cooperation Industries (WCI) Forum, has described Ghana as a strategic gateway for foreign investors seeking access to the African market for trade and commerce.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Instabul, Mr Bengisu said Ghana’s strong democratic credentials, peaceful environment, and robust institutional framework made it one of the most attractive destinations for business and investment on the continent.
“I saw that Ghana is one of the major key countries in Africa if you want to enter the African market. Ghana is a good starting point. Ghana is like an African university. If you want to learn about Africa, you must start by discovering Ghana, because it has a high democracy level above the African continent average,” he stated.
Mr Bengisu noted that Ghana’s vibrant business ecosystem and active trade associations across sectors such as construction, agriculture, mining, and decoration created opportunities for foreign investors to establish reliable partnerships.
He said Ghana’s business culture, particularly the networking practices among entrepreneurs and industry groups, made it easier for investors to connect with potential partners.
“In many African countries, when you visit, you cannot take any business card, but in Ghana business cards are a culture, you can find many delegations according to your business partnership,” he observed.
While commending the Ghana Free Zones Authority for its investment promotion initiatives and strategic programmes, Mr Bengisu called for the expansion of industrial and economic zones beyond the national capital.
He noted that while commercial centres in Accra, including Cantonments, Achimota, Dzorwulu, Kaneshie, Makola and Spintex, were well known, several regions with significant economic potential remained underutilised.
To help unlock the country’s agricultural and industrial potential, Mr Bengisu urged the Government to engage Turkish Airlines to establish direct flights to Kumasi, proposing an initial schedule of three flights per week.
He also advocated the establishment of a second Ghanaian consulate in Turkey, preferably in industrial cities such as Izmir or Kayseri, to complement the existing diplomatic presence in Istanbul.
Mr Bengisu explained that Turkey’s more than 411 industrial zones and over 475,000 factories offered vast opportunities for structured investment partnerships and business exchanges with Ghana.
According to him, establishing a consulate in one of Turkey’s major industrial hubs would facilitate investment missions and strengthen business links with cities such as Kumasi, Cape Coast and other regions across Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Bertha Badu-Agyei/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Seth Danquah