Ireland has signed a double taxation agreement with Ghana in what the Government says is an important step to increase trade with West Africa.

The agreement, the first Ireland has made with a west African country, was signed by Seán Hoy, Ireland’s Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana, and Ghana’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Ken Ofori-Atta at a ceremony in Accra on Wednesday 7 February. 

Representatives from ESB International, Guinness and Tullow Oil – all of which have a significant presence in the Ghanaian market – joined the Irish delegation at the ceremony.

Commenting on the agreement, Ciarán Cannon, Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, said he was struck by the huge potential for Irish companies in west Africa.

“At a time when our companies are seeking opportunities beyond traditional markets, this agreement will be key in facilitating trade with Ghana, which saw strong real GDP growth of 7.9 per cent in 2017.”

Ghana is a strategic market for Irish companies in west Africa, mainly in the food and beverage sectors, in which it is Ireland’s sixth largest export market. Bilateral trade between Ireland and Ghana totalled €43.4m in 2016. It is also an important beef export destinations, while links in the education and energy sectors are growing. 

The agreement follows the largest ever Irish trade mission to west Africa in 2015 led by then Food Minister and current Tánaiste Simon Coveney

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