AmCham Business Bridge: Thanksgiving, partnership, and purpose

… Reflections from AmCham 36th annual celebration

By Doris Kafui AFANYEDEY

Thanksgiving stands as one of America’s oldest and most meaningful traditions, rooted in a story of resilience, generosity, and shared abundance. The first Thanksgiving in 1621 brought together early settlers and the Wampanoag people to celebrate a successful harvest after years of hardship. Over centuries, this simple gathering evolved into a national holiday symbolizing gratitude, community, and the belief that even in challenging seasons, there is always something to give thanks for.

For Americans, Thanksgiving is not merely a holiday; it is a philosophy. It calls communities to pause, reflect, and acknowledge the people, partnerships, and opportunities that make progress possible. It is this same spirit that guides AmCham Ghana’s cherished annual Thanksgiving Dinner, now in its 36th year.

This year’s celebration, our most attended to date, with over 380 members, partners, and leaders, brought that spirit to life. The presence of Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff to the President of Ghana, as Special Guest of Honour, alongside the Chargé d’Affaires and U.S. Embassy leadership, added profound significance to the evening.

Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Chief of Staff reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening the U.S.–Ghana partnership, based on shared democratic values and mutual respect. He highlighted Ghana’s ongoing macroeconomic recovery, citing positive indicators such as 8% inflation and 6.3% economic growth in Q2 2025. He encouraged U.S. businesses to explore emerging opportunities in technology, energy, manufacturing, and digital transformation as the government continues its efforts toward stability, transparency, and investment-friendly reforms.

The Chargé d’Affaires echoed this message, commending AmCham’s leadership and the Chamber’s role in shaping a dynamic, predictable environment for U.S. companies in Ghana. He reaffirmed the Mission’s commitment to expanding bilateral trade and investment while supporting American businesses operating in Ghana.

What we should be grateful for this thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving season offers an important moment for reflection—both as Ghanaians and as members of the U.S. business community.

As Ghanaians, we are grateful for:

• A resilient economy that continues to stabilize and rebound.
• A strong democratic tradition that enables peaceful transitions and continuity in governance.
• A vibrant private sector that continues to invest, innovate, and create jobs.
• Trusted bilateral partnerships, especially with the United States, that support technology transfer, capacity building, and long-term development.

As the U.S. business community in Ghana, we are grateful for:

• A welcoming investment environment, strengthened by reforms and renewed policy dialogue.
• Growing commercial opportunities in digital innovation, energy transition, logistics, health, and manufacturing.
• A dependable local workforce whose skills and resilience fuel the success of U.S. companies operating in Ghana.
• A strong partnership with the government and the U.S. Mission, which continues to champion transparency, predictability, and collaboration.
• The AmCham ecosystem, which remains a trusted bridge, offering advocacy, insights, networks, and platforms to help businesses grow.

A Celebration of Community

This year’s Thanksgiving Dinner also recognized outstanding sponsors, partners, and contributors whose support strengthens the Chamber’s mission. The overwhelming participation and positive feedback reaffirm the power of community and the importance of gratitude in building lasting partnerships.

As AmCham Ghana looks toward 2026, we carry forward a shared message: Thanksgiving reminds us that progress is built together. Whether as Ghanaians or as members of the U.S. business community, we have much to appreciate, and even more to look forward to.

This is the heart of the AmCham Business Bridge: connecting communities, strengthening partnerships, and advancing shared prosperity.

The post AmCham Business Bridge: Thanksgiving, partnership, and purpose appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

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