Ghana hosts year-end luncheon to strengthen trade ties

Islamabad
The Honorary Consul General of Ghana in Pakistan, Shahid Rasheed Butt, hosted a year-end luncheon in Islamabad that brought together diplomats, top bureaucrats and business leaders to discuss areas of mutual interest, including politics, economy, regional stability and trade cooperation.
The luncheon hosted at the Consul General’s residence was co-hosted by Vice Consul Omar Shahid Butt and marked the close of diplomatic and consular engagements for the year. The gathering was attended by a cross-section of current and former diplomats, senior business figures and representatives of chambers of commerce.
Participants said discussions covered the evolving political situation in the region, global economic pressures, and the scope for strengthening economic engagement between Pakistan and Ghana, particularly through trade and private sector links. Attendees also exchanged views on regional issues, including inflation, supply chain issues and access to new markets.
Speaking to guests, the Ghana honorary consul general underlined the importance of sustained people-to-people and business-to-business contacts alongside formal diplomatic channels.
He said Pakistan and Ghana share common challenges and opportunities in agriculture, energy services, and small and medium enterprises, and that regular engagement can help identify practical avenues for cooperation.
Prominent attendees included Faisal Zahid Malik, Masud Khan, Saad Mehmood, Mian Habibullah, Tahseen Syed, Asad Ansari, Ammad Rasheed, Assad Saifullah, and Faisal Muneer, reflecting the broader interest in closer coordination on economic diplomacy.
The event was also attended by former ambassadors Khalid Masud, Khalid Mahmood, and Ghalib Iqbal, as well as serving ambassadors of Morocco and Yemen, the deputy head of mission of Jordan and the defence attache of the Sri Lankan embassy. Their presence highlighted the wider diplomatic context in which bilateral and regional discussions took place.
Business community representatives, including former Islamabad Chamber of Commerce president Baser Daud, former president of the Small Chamber Malik Nadeem, and Pasha executive member Salman Dar, said such informal diplomatic engagements help bridge gaps between policy and commerce. They noted that stronger trade links and clearer regulatory coordination could support exporters and investors amid economic uncertainty.
The luncheon concluded with a consensus to prioritise continued economic and trade dialogue to strengthen Ghana-Pakistan cooperation.