Minister Blue Skies Africa

Afriyie, second from left, Pile, third from left, Duddridge, fourth from left, 

Fresh cut exotics giant Blue Skies has played host to a special ministerial visit.

The UK minister for Africa, James Duddridge, and the UK trade envoy to Ghana, Adam Afriyie, visited Blue Skies yesterday (25 April) with the British High Commission to Ghana to see how the company is managing to export high quality value-added fresh-fruit products and employ over 3,000 people, despite the challenges being faced by the business in Ghana.

Blue Skies founder and chairman Anthony Pile spoke to them on how a managed exchange rate with rising inflation was hurting exporters, and emphasised how expensive yet poor energy supply was damaging machinery and eroding profitability.

He also highlighted how declining agriculture in Ghana was making it difficult for the business to meet demand from some of its European customers.

Pile added: “We are delighted to have hosted the UK minister for Africa and the UK trade envoy to our factory in Ghana, and to have the opportunity to talk openly about the opportunities and challenges faced by Blue Skies in Ghana.”