The Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) has opened discussions with a visiting delegation from the U.S. Virgin Islands as both sides consider collaboration in cocoa, gold, technology, and cultural exchange.
The talks were held in Accra, where Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Operations) Lateef Apau Wiredu hosted Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and his team.
Governor Bryan said the mission aims to identify opportunities that can produce “practical and mutually beneficial outcomes,” and urged Ghanaian exporters, particularly Free Zones firms, to take advantage of the U.S. Virgin Islands’ zero-tariff regime to expand access to the U.S. market.
He also noted that he is the first U.S. Virgin Islands Governor, and the first U.S. Governor to undertake an official visit to Ghana.
Wiredu briefed the delegation on the Free Zones Programme and the investment incentives available under the scheme, describing the meeting as an important platform for potential cooperation between the two jurisdictions. Both sides agreed to explore the development of a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise future engagement.
Governor Bryan’s delegation included senior officials from the Virgin Islands Government Office, Department of Tourism, Economic Development Authority and Next Generation Network. GFZA officials present were Director of Corporate Affairs and PR Dr. Patience Agbleze Acorlor, Head of Compliance Michael Larbi and Senior Manager of Corporate Affairs Bilal Muazu Sulemana.
