The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA), Abdul Razak Baba, has called for stronger coordination among government institutions to ensure the speedy resolution of challenges confronting investors operating in Ghana.
He said the effective handling of investor concerns was critical to sustaining investor confidence and encouraging existing businesses to remain, expand their operations, and commit additional capital to the country.
Mr. Baba made the call at the Aftercare and Investor Grievance Division’s Focal Persons Forum in Accra, where nominated representatives from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were brought together to establish a network aimed at improving the resolution of investor concerns.
He said while attracting new investment was important, equal attention must be paid to businesses that had already invested their capital, created jobs and made long-term commitments to Ghana.
“Attracting new investment is only part of the task. We must pay equal attention to the businesses that have already invested their capital, established operations, created jobs and made a long-term commitment to Ghana,” he stated.
According to Mr. Baba, investors interacted with public institutions on a daily basis over taxes, customs, immigration, permits, licences, utilities, land and other regulatory matters that directly affected their operations.
He warned that delays in obtaining permits, resolving customs issues, obtaining clarity on regulatory requirements or addressing legitimate concerns could undermine investor confidence, even where the broader economic environment was improving.
Mr. Baba explained that the Focal Persons Network had been established to provide investors with direct institutional contacts capable of facilitating the quick resolution of operational challenges.
He said the network would serve as a bridge between GIPA, investors, and their respective parent institutions.
“As Focal Persons, you will serve as the primary institutional contact and the direct bridge between GIPA, investors, and your parent institutions, resolving operational hurdles with speed and precision,” he told the participants.
He said when an investor-related matter was referred to an institution, the designated focal person would be expected to direct it to the appropriate technical unit, facilitate engagement, and ensure that GIPA received clear and timely feedback.
The Deputy CEO said the initiative had become even more important following the enactment of the new Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Act, which formally provides for an Investor Grievance Mechanism.
He explained that the mechanism would provide a structured process for addressing grievances involving investors and government institutions before such matters escalated into more serious disputes.
Mr. Baba said the Focal Persons Network would be central to the implementation of the mechanism, stressing that its success would depend on strong coordination and active engagement by institutions responsible for addressing investor concerns.
He further noted that GIPA established the Aftercare and Investor Grievance Division in 2020 to provide structured post-establishment support to registered businesses across the country.
The division, he said, was intended to help businesses overcome legitimate operational challenges, expand their operations and reinvest in Ghana.
Mr. Baba said Ghana’s economic recovery, including strengthened economic growth, declining inflation, an improved external position and upgraded sovereign credit ratings, had helped create a more stable environment for investment and business activity.
He, however, stressed that the improved economic conditions must be reflected in the day-to-day experiences of investors.
He said the experience of existing investors could influence the decisions of other businesses considering Ghana as an investment destination, making investor aftercare a critical component of the country’s investment strategy.
Mr. Baba therefore urged the focal persons to strengthen communication, improve coordination and ensure that investor concerns were dealt with promptly.
He said the ultimate objective was to create a more coordinated system that would deliver practical results for investors and Ghana.
