Ghana has extended an invitation to Trinidad and Tobago to undertake a Trade Mission, a pivotal engagement that could serve to further strengthen the trade and investment relationship between the two nations. The invitation was extended by the Honourable Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, Minister in Charge of Special Initiatives in the Office of the President of the Republic of Ghana, during a courtesy call on Senator the Honourable Satyakama Maharaj, Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Nicholas Towers, Port of Spain. Minister Maharaj was invited to lead the trade mission.
Today’s meeting occurred after Minister Maharaj delivered opening remarks at the 23rd Annual Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Symposium at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain. Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral trade and investment relations, while also exploring new avenues for cooperation and mutually beneficial partnerships.
Minister Maharaj, in welcoming the Ghanaian team, indicated a desire to strengthen the trade network across the Global South and cement Trinidad and Tobago’s position at the epicenter. In this context, he expressed interest in commencing formal discussions towards the establishment of a preferential trade agreement between Trinidad and Tobago and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Describing West Africa as a natural and strategic partner, he noted that the region’s growing consumer base, dynamic digital transformation, and youthful entrepreneurial energy create fertile ground for mutually beneficial trade and investment. Regional frameworks like ECOWAS, comprising 15 countries and with a combined population of over 400 million people, have already laid a solid foundation for commercial collaboration. Serving as further reinforcement is the extended African Continental Free Trade Area- a transformative platform connecting 1.3 billion people and a market worth over US$3.4 trillion. The Minister said this presents a once-in-ageneration opportunity for Caribbean exporters and investors.
“For Trinidad and Tobago, the implications are clear: the African continent is rising, and we must engage with it deliberately and strategically,” he said as he underscored the availability of high quality manufactured products here that can be exported to Ghana and the wider African continent. Also in attendance at the meeting were Dr. Colin Neil Gosine MP, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Trade Investment and Tourism, Ms. Michelle Anne Thomas, Permanent Secretary (Ag.) in the Ministry, Mrs. Ava Mahabir-Dass, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Ag.), and other ministry officials.
Other members of the Ghanaian delegation attending the meeting included Mr. Charles K. Marfo, Charge d’ Affaires of the Ghana High Commission; Mr. Eric E. Duodu, Minister/Consul of the Ghana High Commission; Ms. Emmanuella N. A. Opong-Peprah, First Secretary, Political & Economic of the Ghana High Commission; Dr. Samuel Appiah-Kubi, Technical Coordinator; Mr. Gyampobah Mintah-Gyampoh, Consultant; and Mr. Kuarlal Rampersad, Consultant.
In 2024, Trinidad and Tobago maintained a net positive trade balance with Ghana. Investment opportunities between both countries have also been identified in light and heavy manufacturing, agro-processing, eco-industrial manufacturing, business process outsourcing and offshore transshipment port.
