The Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), Lord Jonathan Marland, has urged President John Dramani Mahama and his administration to consider hosting a major Commonwealth business event in Ghana, a move he believes could significantly uplift the country’s micro enterprises.
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Speaking at a press conference in Accra on September 11, 2025, Lord Marland stressed the transformative potential of such gatherings, particularly for small businesses that often lack access to global networks and investment opportunities.
“I would suggest to the President, whom I’m going to meet in a few minutes’ time, that maybe we should have a Commonwealth event here,” he said.
Lord Marland explained that while CWEIC membership typically involves bespoke services at a cost, many micro businesses cannot afford such fees. To bridge this gap, the Council organises three major events every two years, open to all businesses across the Commonwealth.
“It’s up to those micro businesses whether they want to participate in that event. They’re free. We don’t charge them anything,” he noted.
“Obviously, there’s a cost to them of traveling to it perhaps, but we create the environment where they can attend and meet other businesses from across the Commonwealth and beyond,” Marland continued.
He also highlighted growing interest from the Middle East and pointed out that Ghana’s diplomatic infrastructure, including its embassies and trade envoys, positions the country well to host such a gathering.
“With the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth being from Ghana, it makes complete sense,” Lord Marland added.
“We will bring Commonwealth businesses here to Accra, and hopefully those micro businesses will benefit, from an investment point of view and from a trade point of view,” he concluded.
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