Ghana seeks American investment in technology, the creative industries, and sports tourism
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Ghana is preparing to exploit key global venues, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to attract increasing US investment in sports tourism, creative industries, and technology, according to Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Iddie Adams.
Mr. Adams spoke at a high-level networking reception sponsored by the US Embassy in Accra in honour of the US Deputy Assistant Secretary for West Africa, Mr. William Stevens. He emphasised Ghana’s renewed commitment to increasing cooperation with the US across many sectors.
The gathering brought together ambassadors from the United States, Ghanaian government officials, corporate leaders, and academic, technological, cultural, and sporting stakeholders.
Since diplomatic relations were established in 1957, Mr. Adams characterised Ghana-US relations as a “time-tested partnership” based on mutual respect, shared ideals, and practical cooperation.
He emphasised that the main foundations of the alliance are trade, education, sports, and cultural interaction.
The Minister disclosed that over 9,000 Ghanaian students are presently enrolled in American colleges for the 2023–2024 academic year. He claimed that this number shows the depth of educational linkages and Ghana’s dedication to the development of human capital.
In order to promote economic transformation, he referred to these students as “living bridges” between the two countries and advocated for increased cooperative research, university partnerships, and diaspora mentorship programs.
Mr. Adams cited Ghana’s historic football matches with the United States at past World Cups to highlight the critical role that sports play in fostering bilateral bonds.
He mentioned that Ghana will play two of its matches in Boston and Philadelphia, two cities with thriving Ghanaian diaspora groups, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
He said that these games offer “strategic opportunities” to include American investors, corporate executives, educational institutions, and diaspora entrepreneurs in growing Ghana’s creative economy and sports tourism.
Speaking about economic cooperation, Mr. Adams reported that bilateral trade between Ghana and the United States reached an astounding $3.8 billion in 2024, with $968 million in U.S. exports to Ghana and $1.2 billion in Ghanaian exports to the United States.
According to him, Ghana’s $16.9 billion total export value in 2023 is indicative of a developing and diverse economy, bolstered by its strategic position in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Inspired by global best practices, he reiterated the government’s commitment to local changes in youth empowerment and sports development.
Mr. Adams emphasised that education, sports, trade, and culture are interconnected pillars with immense growth potential in his demand for deeper, more practical cooperation between the two nations.
“As Ghana positions itself as a regional hub for investment, innovation and cultural exchange, the partnership with the United States remains essential to our development agenda,” he stated.
Source: newsthemegh.com
