After a successful event in 2008 the Ghana Black Stars Network (GBSN) will be hosting the 2nd Annual Ghana Business & Investment Exhibition at the Bernie Grants Art Centre in London on Saturday 19th September 2009.

Within the past eight years Ghana has experienced unprecedented economic growth and has made an impression on the international scene as the place to invest and/or establish a business.

With a smooth presidential transition reflecting a stable democratic country; a strong performing stock exchange – the best performing stock exchange in the World for 2008 showing returns of up to 58%; a good performing national currency; rated one of the top countries to do business by the World Bank; becoming an oil producing country by 2010, becoming a gas producing country by 2011 AND Obama visiting in July 2009 – Ghana does not have too much to complain about.

As with every country in the developed world, Ghana is being affected by the global recession. However, Ghana still holds its place as a desirable location for investors to turn to or establish their African office.

Regarded as the 'Gateway to Africa', Ghana is playing with the ‘big boys’ such as Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. Despite its comparatively modest population of 22 million people, Ghana has seen large multinational organisations such as Standard Chartered Bank; Nokia, KPMG, PriceWaterhouseCoopers establishing their services in the thriving capital city of Accra.

Despite its attraction to foreign businesses, it is imperative for Ghana to establish and secure its economy on home grown businesses and investments.

As an emerging market, Ghana has industries that need to be created, developed and championed. Competition is getting fierce but there are still many industries which lack the knowledge and insight needed to thrive and create wealth.

The Ghana Business & Investment Exhibition (GBIE) works by reaching out to those in the Diaspora as well as entrepreneurs who are seeking business opportunities, a return on their money and/or want a different life from the constant rat race in the UK.

The Ghana Black Stars Network (GBSN) is a collective of young professional British Ghanaians who have created a portal for Ghanaians from all over the world to reconnect with Ghana. Their mission is to promote Ghanaian life and culture; whilst empowering, developing and supporting the needs of Ghanaians in the UK.

Key among the organisation's aims and objectives is creating the space to challenge, educate and expand the perceptions of Ghana and its people through events, workshops, forums and excursions.

The Business & Investment Exhibition will include a series of seminars that discuss the key areas one needs to consider when looking at business in or relocating to Ghana. The 2008 event included seminars on property and land acquisition; business opportunities; the entertainment industry; opening a bank account; investing in the GSE and finding a job in Ghana.

Each seminar was presented by industry professionals, followed by a question and answer session, enabling delegates to ask questions to the panel. The event also included an exhibition of businesses with products and/or services of interest to those based within the UK.

The 2009 event will feature a number of seminars, including: Ghana in the next 5 years – Politics, Agriculture 'The future for Ghana', Business & Investment Opportunities in Ghana, Black Gold – Oil in Ghana, cause for celebration? Exporting & Importing products, 'Land and Property in Ghana'. Each seminar will look at the current climate, how things are developing and what opportunities are available.

The 2009 event will also feature a networking session for people to discuss ideas and work on potential partnerships. This, the organisers stress, is important as it allows people to share their experiences and, if possible, their contacts with those in the Diaspora to reduce the chances of people being duped, robbed or misled.

The GBSN is looking at reaching beyond Ghanaians to attend this event as the wealth of opportunities that currently exist in Ghana is not duplicated elsewhere on the African continent.

The 2nd Annual Ghana Business & Investment Exhibition is supported by the High Commission of Ghana in the UK and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre. Media partners for this year's event are Reconnect Africa, African Business magazine, New African magazine, The Trumpet newspaper, The African Voice newspaper, Find a job in Africa and BEN TV.

For businesses who are interested in participating with this event, a limited number of advertising and exhibiting spaces are available for this event. If you are interested in presenting your business to the event’s delegates, please email Nadia Mensah on nadia@thegbsn.com.