Mahama courts Iranian investors and meets with Ayatollah

The President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, took his investment drive to the Islamic Republic of Iran Monday, when he urged Iranian investors to turn their attention to Ghana, where abundant opportunities exist.

Opening a meeting on economic trade co-operation between Iran and Ghana in Tehran on the last day of his state visit to the Islamic state, the President told the Iranian business community that there were no obstacles to investing in Ghana.

He said, for instance, that there were no strings attached to the transfer of profits by investors to their countries.

Last Sunday, President Mahama met the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, at his Beit Rahbari residence in Tehran.

The meeting took place as Iran marked the 36th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, which was led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeinei.

Transformation

Addressing the meeting on the co-operation between Iran and Ghana, President Mahama said the transformation taking place at the base of the economy would move the country from being import-dependent to one of manufacturing, adding that Iran could be a good partner in that effort.

Iran is enjoying a new lease of life following the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions, and although the country is also seeking foreign investment to further enhance its progress, its companies are equally looking for greater opportunities outside to invest.

Currently, seven Iranian companies are operating in Ghana.

Springboard

President Mahama said the establishment of the permanent joint cooperation between the two countries in 2014 served as a springboard for greater economic collaboration.

The President, who attended the meeting with some of his ministers, including those for Finance, Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Agriculture and Petroleum, said "we are anxious to see the relations grow at the economic level."

From one sector to another, the President took the meeting through the abundant investment potential of Ghana.

He stated that Ghana's strong democracy and security were some of the strong points of its position as the most stable democracy in West Africa with a strong business destination as well.

President Mahama also indicated that skilled labour was abundant in Ghana, and many people could be trained.

Petroleum

Iran is a global giant in the petrochemical industry so the President wanted to see downstream investment in the sector in Ghana.

He mentioned the huge demand for petroleum products in Ghana in particular and West Africa in general, which Iran could take advantage of.

He also spoke about the need to promote Iranian investment in Ghana's financial sector.

Iran ready

The Iranian Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade, Mr Mohammed Reza Nematzadeh, said his country was ready to partner Ghana in its development.

He said the meeting, which was attended by private-sector players interested in investing in Ghana, was a testimony of his country's readiness to expand its economic relations with Africa, particularly Ghana.

He mentioned medicine, agriculture,  small and medium enterprises, mining, power and oil and gas as some of the strong potential areas for investment.

Ayatollah Khamenei

At his meeting with President Mahama last Sunday, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, called on African nations to cooperate to fight terrorism on the continent.

The Supreme Leader said extremism and conflicts in Africa were the creation of the "hegemonic powers", pointing out that the best solution to the problem "lies in independent countries accelerating cooperation between themselves."

The meeting took place as Iran marked the 36th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, which was led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeinei.

The Supreme Leader blamed the "hegemonic powers" for also being the cause of conflicts in other parts of the world.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who by the Iranian Constitution is the leader of the Islamic Revolution, also touched on the Syrian conflict, saying Iran was interested in seeing peace prevailing in that country.

"We have always made efforts to make sure this issue ends up in the best interest of the Syrian nation," he said, emphasising, however, that “the solution lies with the Syrian people.

“The Americans and the Europeans cannot decide for the Syrian nation and it is the Syrian nation that should decide its own future,” he said.

Iran-Africa cooperation

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pledged Iran's continued cooperation with African countries to enhance the continent's progress.

He said Iran had been faithful to the African cause and would work to strengthen that relationship.