Purchase OBG Publications

The twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago is located in the southern end of the Caribbean, just off the coast of Venezuela. Its rich and varied heritage lends itself to a vibrant society and cuisine derived from an array of ethnicities and religions. Developmentally, the World Bank categorises T&T as a high-income country, and it has the fourth-highest GDP per capita in the Americas in terms of purchasing power parity after the US, Canada and the Bahamas. T&T is the largest producer of oil and gas in the Caribbean; however, like many hydrocarbon-producing nations worldwide, the slump in global energy prices beginning in 2014 negatively affected broader growth. Nevertheless, the situation has provided renewed political momentum towards greater economic diversification as a means of ensuring sustained development. This chapter contains a viewpoint from Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago; and an interview with Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President, UN General Assembly.

This chapter examines the legal system of Ghana, including The Companies Act 2019, capital requirements, foreign investment regulation, incentives and guarantees, labour law, property law, governance of non-bank financial institutions and sector-specific regulations. This chapter also contains a viewpoint from Adelaide Benneh Prempeh, Managing Partner, B&P Associates.

This chapter examines the tax system of Ghana, including value-added tax, double taxation treaties, tax incentives, tax residency, deductions, import duties and tax administration. This chapter also contains a viewpoint from Vish Ashiagbor, Country Senior Partner, PwC Ghana.

Progress has been made in expanding the coverage and treatment of infectious disease in Ghana. The rollout of public coverage has been central to these achievements, with the private sector also playing a pivotal role, both in terms of contracts with the government and through the operation of private facilities. A new generation of domestic start-ups has also begun to reshape the sector, utilising digital solutions to better address demand. Yet the sector still faces serious challenges, including shortages in medical professionals and the rise of non-communicable diseases. Education reform has been a major priority of the administration of President Nana Akufo-Addo. The government introduced the Free Senior High School policy in September 2017, which was followed by a number of reforms launched in 2019 to improve teacher training, and the establishment of a new national curriculum. Opportunities for future investment exist in the expansion of private sector schooling.

Ghana’s tourism sector is playing an increasingly important role in the country’s development, contributing to both economic growth and job creation. The results of the World Economic Forum’s “Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2019” indicate that Ghana has significant opportunity to build competitiveness through its history, culture and abundance of natural sites, raising the country’s international profile as a tourism destination. Tourism provides a significant source of foreign exchange in Ghana, contributing to the government’s tax revenue, economic growth and job opportunities. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture estimated that the sector accounted for 4.9% of GDP in 2018, making it the fourth-largest contributor after cocoa, gold and oil. Tourism supported 602,425 direct and indirect jobs that year, up 10% compared to 2017, when the sector employed 550,000 people. This chapter also contains an interview with Akwasi Agyeman, CEO, Ghana Tourism Authority.