Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Her Excellency Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson, has visited Ghanaian-owned businesses and the wider Ghanaian community in Leeds. The visit aimed to address challenges faced by businesses in importing Ghanaian products into the UK and to strengthen ties with the Ghanaian diaspora in the region.
As part of her trade-focused activities, Mrs. Benson interacted directly with Ghanaian business owners to understand the hurdles they encounter in navigating the UK market. Despite the existing trade partnership agreement between Ghana and the UK, some of the businesses say they continue to face significant challenges related to certification and standardization. The UK authorities reportedly do not recognize Ghanaian standard certificates, even though these certificates are equivalent to European standards.
The High Commissioner expressed her commitment to addressing these issues, emphasizing the importance of supporting Ghanaian businesses overseas.
“We wanted to hear firsthand how they are handling these challenges. This visit is part of a larger plan to organize a roundtable meeting with these businesses to explore sustainable solutions,” she stated.
The business community in Leeds gave a warm reception to the High Commissioner and her team, expressing optimism about future collaborations. Many business owners described the visit as a much-needed gesture of support and an opportunity to voice their concerns.
The visit also included a passport registration exercise, where 166 Ghanaians residing in Leeds were successfully registered. The initiative was part of the High Commission’s efforts to bring essential consular services closer to Ghanaians living abroad.
Beyond business and consular engagements, Her Excellency Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson, and her team fulfilled their Diaspora mandate by visiting several Ghanaian churches, including the Church of Pentecost, Presbyterian Church, Assemblies of God Church, and the Apostles Continuation Church. These visits provided an opportunity to interact with members of the Ghanaian community, answer questions, and address concerns, particularly regarding consular services.
The Ghanaian community in Leeds, which is estimated to be around 4,000 strong, appreciated the outreach efforts. Church members voiced various concerns, ranging from passport renewal to consular documentation, with many expressing gratitude for the High Commission’s accessibility and responsiveness.
