Ghana’s Deputy Ambassador to China, Dr Charles Dwamena has encouraged Ghanaian entrepreneurs in China to share their experiences with one another so as to move Ghana beyond aid.

He said this at the opening ceremony of the maiden Ghanaian Entrepreneurs Business Forum which was held from the 9-11th of August in Beijing under the auspices of the Ghana Embassy in Beijing.

The program, which is the first of its kind to be held by an African Embassy in China, brought together 28 Ghanaian entrepreneurs based in China as well as those from Ghana to share ideas and experiences, build their capacities and also network among themselves. The Deputy Ambassador thanked the Chinese experts for making time off their busy schedule to share their experiences with the Ghanaian entrepreneurs and also expressed appreciation to the Chinese Embassy for facilitating the participation of the entrepreneurs from Ghana.

Participants benefited from presentations on topics including business and product registration procedures of China, Government of Ghana’s incentives for entrepreneurs, Investment and capital access for foreign businesses in China, China labor laws and protection for foreign investors as well as Start-ups, Entrepreneurships and Innovation Ecosystems in China. The speakers included Lawyer John Kumah- CEO of NEIP, Mr Liang Guining - China Ministry of Commerce, Dr Zhouwei Luo- Deputy Director of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Lawyer Ellen Zhong – Partner and Head of International Affairs of Shanghai River Delta Law, and Madam Bella Guo – Project Director of Shanghai Global Expertise and Talents.

Other speakers included Mr Sylvester Achereko, Head of the Consular Section of the Ghana Embassy in Beijing and Madam Gaelle Ayamou – Co Founder of Duapa Africa.

Participants commended Dr Dwamena for conceiving the idea to bring Ghanaian entrepreneurs in China together and thanked Mission for making the idea a reality. They promised to put to use, the knowledge gained at the forum upon their return to their various cities so as to expand their businesses and make the country proud. In a unanimous decision, participants resolved to set up a chamber of commerce to promote the interest of Ghanaian entrepreneurs based in China.

Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Mr Victor Owusu, CEO of Supply and Demand Ltd was adjudged the Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 after all participants had been given the opportunity to make business presentations. His company operates an online trading portal (donkomi.com) that markets made-in-Ghana products to customers in China. Miss Fafali Abla Agbanator, CEO of Fafali Photography and Miss Vester Kumi of GoFric Fashions were adjudged the first and second runners-up respectively. Fafali Photography is a company that is into photography for official and social events whiles GoFric Fashions is into the designing and sewing of African wear for all types of occasions.

The two day event was moderated by Mr Alex Mensah – Trade Attache and Mrs Beryl Lomotey- Economic Counsellor and had senior Embassy officials in attendance including Brigradier General Boampong- Defence Attache, Mr Ebenezer Adjei - Consular Section and Mr Felix Eddie Arthur- Diaspora and Multilateral Head. Also present was Mr Hayfron Aboagye- PricewaterhouseCoopers.