The Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA) has established a Focal Persons Network across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). This initiative aims to strengthen investor support and improve the ease of doing business in Ghana.
This network will provide investors with a more coordinated channel for resolving operational challenges. It also strengthens collaboration between GIPA and various public institutions whose mandates affect businesses. The network serves as a direct link between investors, GIPA, and relevant government bodies.
Ghana is actively working to rebuild investor confidence following recent economic challenges. Stable economic conditions provide a stronger foundation for attracting investment. The renewed interest in Ghana highlights the importance of sustaining this progress. This network is a crucial step in ensuring that existing investors remain confident and new ones are well-supported.
Mr. Razak Alhassan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GIPA, disclosed this development in Accra. He spoke at the GIPA Focal Persons Forum, organised by the Aftercare and Investor Grievance Division. Mr. Alhassan emphasised that attracting new investments is only one part of the equation. Equal attention must go to businesses that have already invested, created jobs, and committed to Ghana.
Investors interact with public institutions daily on matters like taxes, customs, immigration, and permits. The quality of these engagements is critical to their overall experience of doing business in Ghana. Mr. Alhassan noted that good policies and an improving economy can be undermined if investors face delays. These delays could involve obtaining permits, resolving customs issues, or getting clarity on regulations. Such experiences can erode investor confidence.
GIPA established its Aftercare and Investor Grievance Division in 2020. This division provides structured post-establishment support to registered businesses. It helps them overcome operational challenges, expand, and reinvest in the country. Many investor concerns cut across the mandates of different institutions. This makes stronger inter-agency coordination necessary for effective resolution.
Under the new arrangement, designated focal persons will act as primary institutional contacts. They will facilitate the swift referral and resolution of investor concerns. The new Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Act further underscores the network's importance. This Act provides for an Investor Grievance Mechanism, formalising the process.
Mr. Charles Opoku Mensah, Head of Aftercare and Investor Grievance at GIPA, explained the forum's purpose. It aimed to create a structured ecosystem for identifying and addressing investor challenges. This approach moves beyond leaving such matters to chance. He stated that investors interact with several public institutions throughout their business journey. Therefore, resolving their concerns cannot be left to one institution alone. The ultimate objective is to retain investments and encourage existing investors to reinvest. This expansion supports the Ghanaian economy and fosters growth.
Approximately 80 institutions have joined this initiative. Each institution nominated two managerial-level officers to serve as focal persons. These officers will act as champions for resolving investor concerns. In 2025, GIPA engaged about 1,100 investors. It identified 58 issues and successfully resolved 31% of them. Most of these resolved issues were operational matters, demonstrating the need for such a coordinated approach.