A statement issued by the British High Commission in Accra, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said Madam Hoey’s appointment as new Trade Envoy to Ghana would strengthen UK-Ghana trade and drive the mutually prosperous partnership.

It said Madam Hoey had been appointed for her experience supporting global businesses, all of which would help both British and Ghanaian businesses to find new export and investment opportunities.

It said she would work closely with the UK in Ghana’s Trade Team as well as attending the twice annual UK-Ghana Business Council alongside senior representatives from the Government of Ghana and the UK’s Minister for Africa.

The statement said Madam Hoey had previously served as a Minister of State for the UK government working first in the UK’s Home Office and the then Department of National Heritage, now the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

It noted that she also served as a regional
Member of Parliament (MP) for Vauxhall in London for 20 years.

Madam Lindsey Gilbert-Crouch, UK’s Department of International Trade in Ghana, welcomed the appointment,saying: “We look forward to working with Baroness Hoey in her new role as Trade Envoy to Ghana.

“The Baroness brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience which will strengthen and broaden the already mutually prosperous UK-Ghana partnership.

“As we look ahead to COP26 in Glasgow later this year, we know that Baroness Hoey will also be interested in Ghana’s work to create a greener and more sustainable business environment.”

The statement said Ghana had a vibrant, dynamic business community with strong links to the UK.

It said in 2020, a year of significant business uncertainty, bilateral trade between the UK and Ghana reached just over £1Bn and over the last financial year the UK more than £180m worth of business deals.

It informed that the UK’s trade and investment work continues to closely align with Ghana’s beyond aid agenda supporting development in the country’s infrastructure through roads and water as well as the security sector.

It said the recent trade deal signed between the UK and Ghana would not only continue to build on the existing mutually prosperous partnership but also provide Ghana with tariff free access to the UK.

Madam Liz Truss, the UK International Trade Secretary, said: “Our Trade Envoys play a key role in delivering our ambitious global trade agenda, and I am delighted the Prime Minister has appointed 10 Trade Envoys who will boost opportunities for businesses in some of the world’s fastest growing markets.

“As we seek to boost exports, promote investment, and break down barriers to trade, our Trade Envoys will support us to share in the benefits that a closer trading relationship can offer to our businesses and our communities.”