The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, has appointed Baroness Hoey as the new trade envoy to Ghana.
A statement issued by the British High Commission on Monday (23 August) said Kate Hoey has been appointed for her experience in supporting global business – all of which will help both British and Ghanaian businesses to find new export and investment opportunities.
She will work closely with the UK in Ghana trade team as well as attend the twice-annual UK-Ghana Business Council, alongside senior representatives from the Government of Ghana and the UK’s minister for Africa.
The director of the UK’s department for international trade in Ghana, Lindsey Gilbert-Crouch, welcomed the appointment:
“We look forward to working with Baroness Hoey in her new role as trade envoy to Ghana,” Gilbert-Crouch said.
“The baroness brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience which will strengthen and broaden the already mutually prosperous UK-Ghana partnership.
“As we look ahead to COP26 [the global climate change talks] in Glasgow later this year, we know that Baroness Hoey will also be interested in Ghana’s work to create a greener and more sustainable business environment.”
Supporting development
Ghana has a vibrant and dynamic business community with strong links to the UK. In 2020, a year of significant business uncertainty, bilateral trade between the UK and Ghana reached just over £1 billion and over the last financial year the UK more than £180 million worth of business deals.
The UK’s trade and investment work continues to align closely with Ghana’s Beyond Aid agenda, supporting development in the country’s infrastructure through roads and water as well as the security sector.
“The recent trade deal signed between the UK and Ghana not only continues to build on the existing mutually prosperous partnership but also provides Ghana with tariff free access to the UK,” said the UK’s international trade secretary, Liz Truss.
“Our trade envoys play a key role in delivering our ambitious global trade agenda, and I am delighted the prime minister has appointed ten trade envoys who will boost opportunities for businesses in some of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
“As we seek to boost exports, promote investment and break down barriers to trade, our trade envoys will support us to share in the benefits that a closer trading relationship can offer to our businesses and our communities.”
Baroness Hoey has previously served as a minister of state for the UK government, working first in the Home Office and the then Department of National Heritage, now the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. She also served as the MP for Vauxhall in south London (Labour Party) for 20 years.
Source: Daily Mail GH
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