Ghana, Tennessee explore investment partnerships in agriculture, healthcare, technology
Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Mr Victor Emmanuel Smith, has met with officials of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) to explore investment opportunities and economic cooperation in agriculture, healthcare, technology, and other strategic sectors to promote development and job creation.
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation while positioning Ghana as an investment destination and a gateway to the African market.
The meeting, held in Nashville, explored how Tennessee’s technological expertise, investment capacity and industrial experience could support Ghana’s economic development while providing businesses in the state with access to the expanding African market.
Mr Smith highlighted Ghana’s strategic position as a gateway to Africa, particularly with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat headquartered in Accra.
He said Ghana’s geographical location along West Africa’s Atlantic coast, commercial ports and connections to regional markets made it an attractive destination for American businesses seeking to establish a presence on the continent.
“We are strategically situated on West Africa’s Atlantic coast with commercial ports and connections to regional markets, and see Ghana as a credible base for building businesses,” the Ambassador said.
He encouraged Tennessee-based companies to consider Ghana as a launchpad for accessing investment opportunities across the African market.
The Senior Advisor to the Commissioner for the Office of Innovation from TNECD, Mr Nathan Buttrey, outlined Tennessee’s economic priorities, identifying life sciences, defence and aerospace as key sectors driving the state’s growth.
He also highlighted investment opportunities in nuclear energy, quantum computing and electric vehicle mobility infrastructure, supported by state and federal funding initiatives.
Mr. Buttrey said Tennessee was actively seeking foreign direct investment and expressed interest in exploring partnerships with Ghana, particularly in agriculture and healthcare.
On agriculture, he described the sector as a major pillar of Tennessee’s economy, citing the work of local organisations that had transformed traditional farms into advanced laboratories for testing produce, improving food safety and increasing crop yields.
He said Tennessee’s expertise could create opportunities for collaboration and technology transfer to support Ghana’s agricultural modernisation.
Mr. Buttrey highlighted TNECD’s specialized Rural Development division, which supports the 80% of Tennessee counties classified as rural by strengthening workforce pipelines and local manufacturing.
Other areas identified for possible cooperation included aviation and mobility, financial technology, and mining operations and resource management.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Conscious Group, Dr Isaac Addae, who represented the Ghanaian diaspora at the meeting, said efforts were underway to establish formal sister-city relationships between Ghanaian communities and localities in Tennessee.
He said the initiative would also facilitate agricultural joint ventures and strengthen collaboration between businesses and institutions in both countries.
The Ghanaian delegation included Mrs Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, Board Chair of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, and Mr Michael Yamson, Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund.
Ethel Codjoe Amissah, Washington DC
