UK’s new modernised approach to international development
After more than two decades of economic growth, Ghana has gone from relative poverty to becoming one of West Africa’s wealthiest countries, but considerable development challenges remain.
As Ghana’s economy transforms, its long-standing partnership with the United Kingdom (UK) is also changing, away from traditional bilateral aid to a broad-based development partnership aimed at mutual benefit.
The UK has indicated that it has now shifted its focus from an aid donor to an investor partner to Ghana and other partner nations for economic growth and development.
UK aid in Ghana is aligned with both governments’ strategic objectives to transition their development partnership beyond aid, as UK aid offers relevant and mostly effective responses to Ghana’s development needs.
The UK Minister for International Development, Baroness Jenny Chapman, paid a three-day visit to Ghana from September 9 -11, 2025, to showcase the UK’s modernised approach to development and Ghana as an exemplar of this modernised partnership.
The visit also highlighted the longstanding links between the UK and Ghana and, more broadly, how they are building mutually beneficial partnerships with African countries.
Fair opportunity
“Ghana’s leaders have said they ultimately want a fair opportunity to trade rather than our aid, and our relationship is typical of the UK’s new modernised approach to international development, one where we invest in and work with countries, as partners.”
The partnership between Ghana and the United Kingdom (UK) is thriving, using innovation and expertise to create opportunities for both our countries, leading to trade between the two increasing in 2024.
While in Ghana, the Baroness visited UK-supported businesses in Accra, which are unlocking economic opportunities and creating jobs for both countries.
Atlantic Lifesciences
During her visit, the Minister toured Atlantic Lifesciences, where UK expertise has enabled the production of essential and advanced medicines, including snake venom antiserum. This is one of 300 active research partnerships between the UK and Ghana, which is driving innovation and global health security.
She also visited a garments company supported by British International Investment (UK’s development finance institution), one of the largest in the region, providing job opportunities for women, and exporting ethically made garments globally.
A school that helps children back into Ghana’s education system, co-funded by the UK, and a hospital supported by the UK through the Global Fund that provides essential health care for diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV.
Create opportunities
“The UK-Ghana partnership is thriving, using innovation and expertise to create opportunities for both countries.
Dhananjat Tripathi (3rd from left), Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic Lifesciences Limited, briefing Baroness Chapman (2nd from right), UK Minister of State, International Development, and Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah (right), a Deputy Minister of Health, during a tour of Atlantic Lifesciences Limited at Prampram.. Pictures: SAMUEL TEI ADANO
“Together we are tackling global challenges, and British expertise is helping to unlock opportunities and wealth.
The minister paid a courtesy call on President Mahama, where they discussed the UK’s growth partnership with Ghana that benefits both countries.
This includes peer-to-peer collaboration, business environment reforms, and trade and investment opportunities, in line with President Mahama’s plan for a 24-hour economy.
Also, on making it easier for businesses to invest and create jobs by developing partnerships between the two countries across the private sector, government and research.
Trade between the UK and Ghana totals approximately £1.5bn annually, with major UK companies, including Tullow Oil, Unilever, Standard Chartered and Blue Skies operating in Ghana.
The minister revealed how a UK tax partnership helped Ghana generate an additional £100 million in revenue in 2024, which they have invested in public services such as health and education.
Growth partnership
The UK’s growth partnership with Ghana has also helped raise over £125 million to support key sectors such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, and garments, creating over 5,000 jobs.
The partnership has improved the production of essential and advanced medicines and enabled exports of textiles across Africa and to the UK.
According to her, the UK and Ghana have signed a landmark partnership agreement aimed at fast-tracking the government’s 24-hour Economy initiative and strengthening bilateral cooperation on industrialisation and the new agreement was formalised during the bi-annual UK-Ghana Partnership for Jobs and Economic Transformation (JET) Steering Committee Meeting held in Accra recently.
The agreement builds on the JET Programme’s record of supporting policy reforms, facilitating investment and linking Ghanaian enterprises to sources of finance, including UK development finance institutions and marks a new phase in the two countries' collaboration, moving from planning to acceleration.
It underscores both countries’ commitment to creating a competitive manufacturing base in West Africa and scaling up investment in Ghana’s priority sectors.
In a round-up of her visit, Baroness Chapman honoured the legacy of Arthur Wharton, the world’s first black professional footballer, ahead of the 160th anniversary of his birth next month.
He was born in Ghana and played for Darlington FC.
Baroness Chapman exchanged tributes with representatives of Ghana’s Football Association and celebrated the enduring relationship between the UK and Ghana, built on historical ties, shared values, and vibrant people-to-people connections.
The UK-Ghana partnership is thriving, using innovation and expertise to create opportunities for both our countries.
“Together we are tackling global challenges, and British expertise is helping to unlock opportunities and wealth here, including generating an extra £100 million in tax revenues last year.
