On February 22nd, selected students joined the resident American community in Ghana, Ghana-based United States firms and organizations, Ghanaian government representatives and the media, at a special seminar to welcome the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Mr. Demetrios Marantis.
As the guest speaker, Mr. Marantis outlined the vision of the USA in terms of its bilateral trade agreements with Ghana. He highlighted the performance of initiative such as the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), which has increased the opportunities for the export of agricultural products to the USA from Ghana. He encouraged local Ghanaian farmers and policy makers to make even better use of the opportunities afforded by AGOA.
The question and answer section that followed Mr. Marantis's talk was extremely lively with several Ashesi community members contributing. While Stephen Armah, Asst Professor of Economics at Ashesi wanted to know what USA-led initiatives were available in terms of encouraging the production and trade of Shea-butter between Ghana and the USA, Melvin Akaba, a senior at Ashesi observed that “While exports from Ghana to the USA have increased since the inception of AGOA, as a percentage of GDP, Ghanaian exports to USA has declined. Suggesting that trade with the USA is not keeping up with the general progress of Ghana’s economy”. Mr. Marantis stated that Ghana's economy had grown very rapidly over the past few year, partially due to the discovery of oil, and so though agricultural exports did expand rapidly over the period, they did not keep up with GDP growth.
All in all, the ceremony was an educational experience for the selected Ashesi students chosen. After the ceremony, US Ambassador to Ghana, Donald Teiltebaum, clearly intrigued by the curiosity of the Ashesi team, spent about 20 minutes with the students on his lawn explaining US bilateral trade policies to the students, while answering their questions. He assured the students that the USA will do its part in creating opportunities for entrepreneurial Ghanaians willing to take the chance. The Ashesi students who were selected to attend the event were: Melvin Akaba, Phillip Dzisenu, Mohamed Teeko, Eirene Sarpong, Marlene Emefa Baeta, Nana Adwoa Hagan, Sena Lily Can –Tamakloe, Akua Frempomaa Ampah, Francis Tettey Nuettey and Victoria Animwaa Anim.