Exclusive Interview with the Vice President of Ghana H.E. Mahamudu Bawumia

WE WANT TO GO BEYOND AID AND FOCUS ON TRADE

Q. As the Vice President of one of the most prosperous countries of the African continent, what are your expectations from the event?

A. I would like to start by thanking the Government of India for organizing this Conclave. It is a wonderful endeavour to deepen the cooperation between India and Africa, especially in the area of economic relations. I expect that we will deepen our cooperation in specific areas and this particular conclave would be productive in that direction. Ghana has had immensely productive relations with India. Some of the projects that we have done have come out of this conclave over the years.  

Q. What are the priority sectors in which the government of Ghana would like to collaborate with the Indian business community?

A. Accompanying me are a number of business delegates from Ghana. The Ghanaians will meet the Indians and the Indians will meet the Ghanaians. We have many areas of potential cooperation between our respective business communities and the Government as well. India has expertise in the area of ICT. Ghana, too, is focused on moving towards a digital economy.  

Healthcare and pharmaceuticals are other promising areas. A number of Ghanaians are making use of the Indian healthcare system. We would like to set up similar kind of medical institutions that are present in India. 

Ghana is moving towards becoming the pharmaceutical hub of West Africa. Our business people will be very well-positioned to have productive engagements in these areas. Agriculture, oil and gas also have room for cooperation between India and Ghana. 

Q. The Hon’ble President of Ghana, H.E. NANA AKUFO-ADDO has launched a number of initiatives, including “One District, One Factory”. What kind of alliance are you looking from India in order to give a boost to the manufacturing strength of Ghana?

A. From Ghana’s point of view, the reason why President Nana Akufo-Addo has set this target of industrialization is that we can’t become a primary commodity producing nation without adding value to our resources. We are looking at the quest for industrialization from different angles. ‘One District, One Factory’ encapsulates this agenda for every district – all 254 of them. 

There must be a commodity to which you can add value – small or large. In agro-processing for example, we are encouraging the private sector to come in and set factories and giving them incentives for the same. We are also encouraging the setting up of the pharmaceutical and automotive industries. 

We are on an industrialization drive; we want to add value to every commodity such as minerals by setting up refineries for gold, bauxite, iron and steel. We have an ambitious agenda to industrialize and add value to every resource. Since India has a lot of experience in industrialization, we believe that the nation can help us fulfil our dream of industrializing Ghana. 

Q. Farmers in Ghana are increasingly becoming aware of the technology-driven innovations that can help them get higher productivity. In order to build upon this awareness, are you seeking any technology-transfers from India? 

A. Absolutely! For us agriculture is key. 60-70% of our population is engaged in agriculture. So, if we are going to need that leap for transformation, agricultural productivity must increase.

Today, you cannot get that without the application of technology. A lot of farmers lack information on different things. All the necessary information such as the prices of products in different markets, the right kind of fertilizer, and so on can be delivered on your mobile phone. 

In Ghana, we have developed a digital addressing system, which allows every five-by-five square meter of land or water to be uniquely identified. 

It is operational now. You can reach any farm by using its digital address. This innovation was developed indigenously by Ghanaians. 

The use of technology can, therefore, allow the farmers to have access to inputs and much more. 

Q. This is your first visit to India. Your remarks?

A. This is my first time in India, so I am really looking forward to this visit. I have come with a team of ministers as well as businesspersons. We have had long, productive and warm relations with India right from the time of independence. There is deep affection between the two countries.

The strong foundation of our bilateral relations was laid by India’s first Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, and Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. The two great leaders also enjoyed a close friendship. 

During this visit, we want to deepen our economic relations with India. We want to go beyond aid and focus on trade and investment. This conclave is very consistent in our ambition and will prove to be mutually beneficial.