GHANA BRITAIN SIGN TRADE DEAL

ACCRA : Ghana and Britain signed a Pound 20 million [22 million euros, $26 million] trade and investment agreement to create jobs and promote economic development in the west African nation, the Ghanaian presidency said.

The presidency said a Memorandum of  Understanding, which represents Britain's new working programme in its former colony, has been tailored along President Akufo-Addo's  vision of  a ''Ghana Beyond Aid.''

Britain's Minister of State for Africa Harriet Baldwin who signed on behalf of  her government said the programme would focus on four-key areas.:

''It will focus on some of the policy suggestions to make it easier to do business in Ghana, and on promoting opportunities for inward investment into Ghana,'' she said.

The agreement would also ensure more  value-added  activities for Ghana exports as well as develop infrastructure that will attract new investments into the country.

Baldwin said the programme will attract at least Pound 15 million investments into Ghana, creating an estimated  15,000  new jobs.

Ghana Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen said he developed the deal would lead to improved trade relations with Britain.

''I therefore see this as a game changer, a new chapter in UK-Ghana relations. I am glad to note that this jobs and economic transformation programme is, indeed, is signalling this transition to focus on trade and investment,'' he said.

The agreement comes as British Prime Minister Theresa May begins a tour of South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya as part of a campaign to promote Britain's global ambitions after it leaves the European Union nest year.  [AFP]