Switzerland became Ghana’s leading export partner in 2023, with exports from Ghana to Switzerland totalling $3 billion.
Bilateral trade volumes increased significantly from $1.5 billion in 2019 to over $3 billion in 2023.
Speaking at a reception to celebrate the 733rd anniversary of Switzerland’s founding, Madame Simone Giger, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Ghana, noted that Ghana retained its position as the second-largest trading partner with Switzerland in Sub-Saharan Africa, after South Africa.
On its National Day, Switzerland celebrates its institutions, which have bolstered its democracy and prosperity since the adoption of its constitution in 1848.
The grand diplomatic reception brought together a distinguished gathering of high-ranking officials, including ambassadors, government officials, chiefs, chief executives of Swiss businesses, and members of the Swiss community in Ghana.
Ambassador Giger emphasized that the ongoing development cooperation between Ghana and Switzerland is a testament to the strong economic and trade ties between the two countries.
Under Switzerland’s new cooperation framework with Ghana, spanning 2025 to 2028, Switzerland will collaborate with its Ghanaian partners in several areas relevant to fostering inclusive development.
Working closely with the private sector, Switzerland aims to strengthen strategic value chains, invest in skills development for young people, support effective decentralization—including bottom-up accountability measures—and scale up renewable energy solutions.
Mr Francis Asenso-Boakye, the Minister for Roads and Highways, who represented the Ghanaian government, stated that Ghana has established itself as a safe, secure, and welcoming destination for foreign investors, businesses, expatriates, and visitors, all of whom contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.
He highlighted that due to the peaceful political climate, security, democratic credentials, and favourable investment conditions, there are over 55 Swiss investments in Ghana, including companies such as Nestlé (GH) Ltd, Accra Brewery, SGS Ghana, Panalpina (GH) Ltd, Devag Ltd, Ghana Pioneer Aluminium Factory, Ghana Industrial Containers Ltd, Barry Callebaut, and Blue Skies.
Mr Asenso-Boakye, also a Member of Parliament for the Bantama Constituency, noted that political stability has been the cornerstone of Ghana’s attractiveness as an investment destination, boosting foreign direct investment to support the country’s economic development.
With the $3 billion trade volume in 2023, he reiterated that Switzerland is one of the few countries with a trade balance in favour of Ghana and that Ghana greatly values its economic relations with Switzerland. Mr. Asenso-Boakye added that, with the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Ghana has become a more attractive destination for foreign direct investment.
He invited more Swiss companies to take advantage of the attractive investment opportunities, partner with Ghanaian businesses, strengthen the private sector and enhance its capacity to create more jobs for the country’s youth.
The Minister expressed gratitude to Switzerland for its financial and technical support over the years.
He further stated that Ghana and Switzerland continue to collaborate actively in peace and human security cooperation, with Switzerland being one of the main sponsors of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra.
Source: GNA
