Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland, H.E. Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson, has called for a transformative and inclusive UK–Ghana trade partnership designed to withstand global challenges while driving sustainable growth.
Speaking at a fireside discussion on the topic “Diplomatic, Regulatory, and Institutional Conditions for a Sustainable UK–Ghana Trade Architecture,” organized by ODI Global in collaboration with Bank of Ghana, the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat and the Foreign and commonwealth office (FCDO) in UK, the High Commissioner outlined bold strategies for reshaping trade ties, emphasizing digital transformation, strong institutional collaboration, and value-added exports as key pillars for success.
“With global geopolitics shifting, supply chains reconfiguring, and the demand for sustainable growth rising, the partnership between Ghana and the UK stands as a model of resilience and shared values.”
Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson, emphasized the need to move beyond traditional trade agreements, highlighting that the future of trade will be shaped by digital connectivity, strong institutions, and strategic diplomacy.
“Trade’s future is digital. Finance’s future is interoperable. And the future of UK–Ghana cooperation must be strategic, collaborative, and aligned with global transformations.”
She highlighted Ghana’s ambition to transition from a raw material-exporting economy to a value-added, export-driven one. She identified Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme as transformative initiatives aimed at restructuring production models, encouraging round-the-clock productivity, and fostering industrial clusters to embed the nation within global value chains.
Complementing Ghana’s approach she noted is the “Big Push” infrastructure initiative which is focused on building efficient transport corridors, improving logistics, and boosting energy reliability, designed to increase trade competitiveness and reduce costs.
Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom addressing the gathering.
“Trade competitiveness is built on infrastructure. Efficient transport, reliable energy, and digital connectivity are indispensable for unlocking our trade potential. ”
The High Commissioner described digital interoperability and institutional coherence as the future of trade, saying “technology alone cannot build lasting systems but strong diplomacy, clear rules, and reliable institutions must form the backbone.”
She underscored the role of digital trade finance in reducing costs, improving transparency, expanding credit for SMEs, and fostering inclusive growth.
To achieve this, she called for harmonized Regulatory Standards across UK-Ghana trade frameworks, stronger collaboration between financial regulators, customs authorities, and private sector innovators and capacity building in digital trade compliance and risk assessment to empower Ghanaian exporters and UK investors.
She also highlighted the significance of aligning bilateral UK-Ghana trade deals with regional initiatives like AfCFTA, ensuring that partnerships strengthen, rather than divide, global trade systems.
“Ghana remains a committed, stable democracy and a gateway to West Africa. The moment to deepen our economic ties with the UK is now. Together, we can build a robust trade architecture that drives shared prosperity for generations to come,” she concluded.
By 1960news.com
