Opinions of Friday, 3 March 2017
Columnist: Chris Koney
By: Chris Koney
The inaugural Tech in Ghana Conference (TIGC) has been hailed a huge success by British and Ghanaian industry influencers who came together for the groundbreaking event held in London earlier this week.
The TIGC, which took place at international law firm Addleshaw Goddard’s prestigious premises in Moorgate, included informative panel discussions and keynotes from the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ghana Adam Afriyie; newly appointed CEO of Ghana’s Investment Promotion Centre, Yofi Grant; Vodafone Ghana’s director for enterprise and wholesale Angela Mensah-Poku; African Science Academy founder Tom Ilube; and WorldRemit CEO Ismail Ahmed.
Attendees included over 100 leading business executives, entrepreneurs and international journalists who were joined by representatives from the Bank of Ghana, National Communications Authority, Ghana High Commission, and UK tech firms and investors.
‘I was delighted to have been invited to speak at the first Tech in Ghana Conference and to see the great amount of potential for trade and investment in Ghana,’ says Afriyie, who officially opened the event with a speech calling for stronger partnerships between the UK and Ghana. ‘It was excellent to see first-hand the huge amount of innovation and excitement surrounding opportunities for technology advances in Ghana.
I am confident the conference will lead to many further discussions: with businesses; with contacts; and networks made at the event.’
The Tech in Ghana Conference was organised by London-based company AB2020, in partnership with the UK Ghana Chamber of Commerce, while Vodafone Business Solutions, WorldRemit and Interpay were sponsors. A networking drinks reception was hosted by De Christ Wines.
Founder of the conference and AB2020 Akosua Annobil says: ‘The feedback from both Ghanaian and British attendees has been incredible.
Delegates were impressed by the high quality of information shared during panel discussions, as well as the niche audience for productive networking, and organisation of the overall day.
‘It was great to see new relationships and partnerships being established, and following the demand we’re excited to be having strategic conversations and outlining plans for 2018.’