The General Manager of Eklips Investment Ghana Ltd, Mr Augustine Kanton, has issued a passionate call to the United States government and private sector to realign their investment priorities towards Ghana and other democratic African nations.
Describing Ghana as a “beacon of democracy in Africa”, Mr Kanton argued that the country’s strong record in governance, peaceful transitions, and electoral transparency must now be rewarded with robust foreign direct investment (FDI) from allies like the U.S.
“For years, Ghana has been celebrated as a beacon of democracy in Africa, a country that continues to lead by example in terms of governance, electoral transparency, and peaceful transitions of power,” he said in a statement from Accra. “However, it is increasingly disheartening to see that these democratic achievements have not translated into commensurate foreign direct investment, particularly from our traditional allies like the United States.”
He criticised what he described as a lingering perception in some Western business circles that treats African economic engagement more as charity than genuine partnership. “Many American business leaders we speak with still approach Africa, especially Ghana, as if they’re doing a favour by engaging,” Mr Kanton noted. “Meanwhile, they are comfortable investing billions of dollars in regions where human rights are severely curtailed, press freedom is nonexistent, and democracy is either repressed or entirely absent.”
Citing global investment data, Mr Kanton pointed out the significant disparity in U.S. investment between democratic African countries and authoritarian states in the Middle East. For example, in 2023, U.S. FDI stock in Saudi Arabia exceeded $10 billion, compared to under $2 billion in Ghana.
As head of a company that facilitates trade between global investors and African markets, Mr Kanton believes Ghana presents a compelling case for American businesses seeking long-term growth. He highlighted sectors such as technology, agriculture, agro-processing, green energy, and manufacturing as ripe for investment.
“If democracy cannot yield real, visible benefits for the people who uphold it, what message are we sending to other countries watching us?” he asked. “We cannot promote democracy globally while ignoring its economic needs at the local level. Supporting democracy means investing in it.”
Mr Kanton stressed that it was time for the rhetoric of U.S. support for democracy to be matched with economic commitment. He urged stronger collaboration in trade, technology transfer, and capacity building.
“Ghana has always stood on the right side of history as a dependable ally of the United States,” he said. “Now we are calling on our partners to stand with us, not just politically, but economically. The future of U.S.–Africa relations must be built on shared prosperity, and that begins with bold investments in democratic countries like Ghana.”
He also revealed plans for upcoming high-level engagements to strengthen Ghana-U.S. business ties. Eklips Investment Ghana Ltd is working with partners in Virginia to organise the first Ghana–Virginia Business Summit in early 2026. In addition, the company will facilitate the participation of about 50 African CEOs—mostly from Ghana—at the Liberty University CEO Summit in Lynchburg, Virginia, scheduled from October 15–17, 2025.
Mr Kanton concluded by calling on the U.S. to lead a new era of strategic, mutually beneficial economic relations with Africa, based on shared values and respect for democratic governance. “African businesses are ready and eager for strategic partnerships—not handouts,” he said. “It’s time to shift the narrative and unleash the continent’s full economic potential.”