The Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Myriam Montrat, has called on the incoming administration of President-Elect John Dramani Mahama to prioritize resolving delayed payments owed to international companies operating in Ghana.
During a meeting with Mr. Mahama in Accra on Friday, High Commissioner Montrat expressed concerns over the growing issue of outstanding payments, warning that the situation could tarnish Ghana’s international reputation and discourage foreign investment.
“I do think that one of the things that will be helpful is ensuring that companies are being paid on time. This is another factor that has been a huge deterrent—companies having to fight to get the money owed to them,” Montrat stated.
She emphasized the importance of timely payments in maintaining Ghana’s attractiveness as a business destination and fostering strong diplomatic and economic ties with international partners.
In response, President-Elect Mahama acknowledged the gravity of the issue, revealing that it had also been raised by the American Ambassador.
“You are not the only country to raise the issue of payments. I met the American ambassador, and she also raised concerns about payments owed to international companies that have completed work. I thought the government treated only domestic companies this way,” Mahama remarked.
He indicated his willingness to address the matter, stating that with detailed lists of affected companies from the respective embassies, his administration would keep a focus on resolving the payment challenges.
The meeting underscores the pressing need for the incoming government to address Ghana’s fiscal obligations and reassure international partners of its commitment to maintaining a favorable business environment.
