Avasant Comes to Ghana after Obama visit

A Los Angeles-based company Avasant is opening offices in Ghana as a result of President Obama's visit to the country. The offices will be located in Accra.   Avasant, which is ranked as the world's top Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) advisory firm has signed a multi-year agreement with Ghana's Ministry of Communications to promote IT Enabled Services (ITES) sector in the country, the company has said in a press release.   The agreement according to the release is part of a World Bank funded initiative to support economic growth in Ghana. Under the terms of the deal Avasant would work closely with the MOC and the growing private-sector to enhance Ghana's IT Enabled Services industry and ultimately Ghana's entry into the "interconnected" world. Commenting on the move Avasant's CEO, Kevin S. Parikh, said "as a U.S. based company, we are more confident than ever in Africa's prospects, and clearly, the Obama Administration has increased our confidence and desire to work in Ghana and the region."   President Obama paid a visit to Ghana in July. His choice of Ghana as the first country to visit in Africa south of the Sahara was based on the country's democratic credentials as peaceful and stable. Ghana has had peaceful elections and hand over of political power - something unprecedented on the continent.   The country also has a dynamic and growing ICT industry. In June 2009 a study by A T Kearney on BPO put Ghana on top in Africa South of the Sahara. The report, titled "The 2009 AT Kearney Global Services Location Index," ranked countries for their ability to handle business process outsourcing, using a weighted combination of scores on 43 measurements grouped under three main criteria: financial attractiveness; people skills and availability; and business environment.   While India led the rankings globally, Ghana had the top overall ranking in sub-Saharan Africa, though in terms of actual BPO revenue, South Africa is still the continent's leader. Ghana's rank was boosted by financial issues. Link: http://ghanabusinessnews.com/2009/09/30/us-company-avasant-comes-to-ghana-after-obama-visit/