Ghana?s Out-going ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Alan Kyerematen has held discussions with the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of New Jersey Commerce and Economic growth commission, Dr. William D. Watley in Trenton, New Jersey.

The discussions centered on the Commission?s inaugural trade and investment mission to Ghana and South Africa between May 10 ? 20, 2003.

The Ambassador who was in Trenton as part of a three-day official visit to the State to fine-tune pre-departure events to be co-coordinated by the Ghana Embassy also met some senior officials of the commission and assured them that the mission would not be disappointed since it should be of mutual benefit to the businesses in New Jersey and the people of Ghana.

?This is a potential working relationship. You are on the right track by working with the Embassy. Since investment enhances trade, it is always useful to take stock of potentials elsewhere. Our job is to open the doors and we will do that, he said.

According to Ambassador Kyerematen, people want joint business ventures but sometimes there are difficulties with where to look for funding and cited OPIC and the US EXIM Bank as entities that are already looking at American companies interested in investing in Africa.

According to the Economic Commission, Ghana and South Africa are particularly appealing, not simply for their free market economies and successful democratic reforms, but also since their economic needs match many of New Jersey?s economic strength with pharmaceuticals, telecommunication, information technology, transportation and infrastructure, construction, medical equipment among others.

Dr. William Watley expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador for the Embassy?s participation and contribution in its January?s conference on Africa in Trenton. The Economic Commission?s believe in the two selected countries, is due to the fact that business opportunities in Ghana and South Africa are surprising. Democracy and free enterprise are providing foundation for economic growth unmatched in the past century.

The Commission will be in Ghana from May 10 ? 14, 2003 and expect that over thirty companies from New Jersey, some mayors and senators to join the trip.

As part of the three-day official visit, Ambassador Kyerematen also had a town hall meeting with Ghanaians resident in Newark. He repeated that the Government was gradually fulfilling its programs and that in the public assessment of the two-year old regime, they should take into consideration what the Government inherited, $6 billion external debt, an inflation rate of over 45 percent, high interest rate of 50 percent, high unemployment rate and a situation where over 40 percent of Ghanaians were living below the poverty line.

Ambassador Kyerematen was accompanied by his Minister Counselor for Information Mr. Ivor Agyeman-Duah.