Program
The Summit Agenda.
Two days of working sessions sequenced to deliver signed accords, capital commitments and the formal launch of the Ghana Trade Center in Cincinnati.
Day One
Trade, Investment & the 24-Hour Economy
Monday · September 28, 2026
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Registration & Executive Networking Breakfast
Hosted networking with:
- U.S. corporations
- Ghanaian business delegations
- State and municipal leaders
- Investors and chambers of commerce
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Opening Ceremony
Welcome Processional
- Ghana National Anthem
- U.S. National Anthem
- Cultural performance
Official Welcome Addresses
- Mayor of Cincinnati
- Representative from the Office of the Governor of Ohio
- United States Congressional Representative from Cincinnati
- President, African American Chamber of Commerce
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Presidential Address
Special Guest of Honor: John Dramani Mahama
Topic: Ghana’s Vision for a 24-Hour Economy and Strategic Partnership with North America
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Keynote Address
Keynote Speaker: Julius Debrah
Topic: Building a Competitive African Economy Through Strategic Global Partnerships
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Networking & Corporate Showcase Break
Featured exhibitors:
- Ghana Export Promotion Authority
- Ghana EXIM Bank
- AfCFTA Secretariat
- Manufacturing exporters
- Agribusiness firms
- Tourism operators
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
High-Level Plenary Session
“The 24-Hour Economy: Industrialization, Logistics & Global Competitiveness”
Featured Speaker: Goosie Tanoh
Panel Participants
- Ministry of Trade
- Ghana Free Zones Authority
- Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority
- Ghana Airports Company Limited
- Bank of Ghana
- Africa EXIM Bank
- Private sector manufacturing leaders
Discussion Topics
- Industrial parks and logistics
- Export competitiveness
- Port and airport modernization
- Manufacturing for North American markets
- AfCFTA supply chain integration
- Financing export growth
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
Executive Luncheon
Integrating Ghanaian Products into American Supply Chains
Featured Corporate Conversation with representatives from:
- Kroger
- Procter & Gamble
- Walmart
- Cintas
1:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Investment Forum
“Why Ghana? The Next Frontier for Strategic Investment”
Deliverable: Announcement of investment pipeline opportunities.
Focus Areas
- Agribusiness
- Manufacturing
- Pharmaceuticals
- Textiles
- Logistics
- Infrastructure
- Renewable energy
- Technology
Participating Institutions
- Ghana Investment Promotion Centre
- Ghana EXIM Bank
- Ministry of Finance
- International investors
- U.S. private equity firms
2:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Coffee & Matchmaking Break
Curated B2B meetings between:
- Ghanaian exporters
- U.S. buyers
- Investors
- Distribution partners
3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Trade & Export Roundtable
“Achieving USD 1 Billion in Ghanaian Exports to North America”
Topics
- FDA compliance
- Packaging and branding
- Retail procurement
- Warehousing and distribution
- Export financing
- Trade facilitation
Stakeholders
- Ghana Export Promotion Authority
- Ghana Chamber of Commerce
- Association of Ghana Industries
- U.S. importers and distributors
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Strategic Announcements
Potential announcements:
- Ghana Trade Centers initiative
- Letters of intent
- Investment MoUs
- Distribution partnerships
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Presidential Gala & Awards Dinner
Theme: Celebrating Africa–America Economic Partnership
Features
- Cultural performances
- Diaspora recognition awards
- Corporate partnership awards
- Investment leadership awards
Day Two
Market Access, MSMEs & Strategic Partnerships
Tuesday · September 29, 2026
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Continental Breakfast & Networking
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
MSME & Entrepreneurship Forum
Featured Speaker: Margaret Ansei
Topic: Empowering MSMEs for Global Trade and 24-Hour Economic Participation
Discussion Areas
- Women-led enterprises
- Youth entrepreneurship
- Access to capital
- Export readiness
- Digital commerce
- Supplier diversity opportunities
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Diaspora Investment & Economic Inclusion Forum
“The African Diaspora as a Strategic Economic Force”
Topics
- Diaspora bonds
- Venture capital
- Real estate
- SME investment
- Technology transfer
- Remittance-backed development
Participants
- African American CEO Roundtable
- Diaspora investors
- Financial institutions
- Venture funds
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Sister City Diplomacy Ceremony
Cincinnati–Accra Sister City Initiative
Deliverables: Signing ceremony, Joint declaration, Educational and cultural exchange framework
Participants:
- City leadership from Cincinnati
- Representatives from Accra
- Tourism and cultural institutions
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
Tourism & Cultural Diplomacy Luncheon
“Beyond Trade: Building Cultural and Tourism Bridges”
Topics
- Heritage tourism
- Pan-African tourism
- Creative economy
- Sports diplomacy
- Film and entertainment collaborations
1:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Ghana Trade Centers Strategy Session
“Creating Distribution Hubs for Ghanaian Products Across North America”
Focus Areas
- Warehousing
- Cold-chain logistics
- Retail partnerships
- E-commerce fulfillment
- Franchise opportunities
- Regional trade hubs
Potential Cities
- Cincinnati
- Atlanta
- Houston
- New York
- Toronto
2:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Networking Break
3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Closing Plenary
“The Future of Africa–America Trade Relations”
Participants:
- World Affairs Council
- Corporate executives
- Government representatives
- AfCFTA representatives
- Financial institutions
Summit Outcomes Review
- Trade commitments
- Investment announcements
- Partnership agreements
- Policy recommendations
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Closing Ceremony
Official Summit Communiqué Release
Final Remarks
- Summit organizers
- Government representatives
- Corporate partners
Exclusive Access
VIP Engagement Opportunities.
Private Executive Roundtable featuring exclusive invitation-only sessions for key stakeholders driving the Africa-America economic partnership.
Government officials
Fortune 500 executives
Institutional investors
Development finance leaders
Exhibition Pavilion
A curated showcase of industry excellence and cross-border commercial potential. Explore specialized pavilions featuring the best of Ghana and America.
Ghana Made Expo
Agribusiness showcase
Manufacturing showcase
Tourism pavilion
Financial services pavilion
Diaspora business pavilion
Summit Outcomes
Tangible results driving the future of international trade.
Export purchase agreements
Distribution partnerships
Retail supplier onboarding
Investment commitments
Sister city agreement
Trade facilitation framework
Bilateral cooperation roadmap
Ghana Trade Centers launch roadmap
SME export acceleration program
Corporate sourcing partnerships