Ghana and her European partner, the Federal Republic of Germany have pledged to deepen their already strong relations in the areas of trade, investment, and security.
Leaders of the two countries, President Akufo-Addo of Ghana and German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, made the commitment when they met at the seat of Ghana’s presidency, Jubilee House, today Tuesday, 31 October 2023.
Mr Scholz is in Ghana as part of his three-nation tour of the West Africa region. The German leader will apart from his two-day visit to Ghana, also visit Bennin and Nigeria.
While at the Jubilee House, Chancellor Scholz and his delegation held a bilateral meeting with President Akufo-Addo and other high-ranking officials of the Akufo-Addo administration after the two leaders held a tete-a-tete meeting between themselves.
President Akufo-Addo and Chancellor Olaf Scholz, also led their two delegations to meet business leaders from German and Ghana with the aim of fostering synergy between German and Ghanaian businesses.
After the series of meetings and photo opportunities, the two leaders held a joint press conference. President Akufo-Addo subsequently held a state lunch in honour of the visiting German leader.
In his speech to propose the toast at the state banquet, President Akufo-Addo registered his appreciation to the German Chancellor for choosing Ghana as one of three countries he is visiting during his tour of the West Africa region. He noted that it is an honour for Ghana to have two successive German Chancellors visit Ghana during his tenure as President of the republic.
Akufo-Addo recounted the strong economic and trade ties that exist between Ghana and Germany which he says a manifesting through the number of German companies who have established companies in Ghana or have expressed the desire to do so.
An example of a recently established German company in Ghana according to President Akufo-Addo, is Volkswagen (VW), which has established an assembling plant in Ghana.
“We will continue to create and maintain a conducive investment atmosphere that will not only guarantee the safety of their investments, but good returns on investments as well.
“We in Ghana are determined to see the rebound of our economy which has been ravaged like all nations by the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” President Akufo-Addo said.
“That is why our focus is to continue to build a value-added industrialized economy with a modernized agriculture which will enable us to reach our destination of “Ghana beyond aid”. I am happy that our relations with Germany are now being focused on an increase in trade and investment cooperation” he added.
On the fight against terrorism, violent extremism, and other socio-economic challenges bedevilling Ghana and the rest of the African continent, President Akufo-Addo said Ghana and for that matter, the rest of Africa is determined to win the fight.
“[We] will continue to collaborate with the Federal Republic of Germany at the bilateral and multilateral levels in finding solutions to challenges such as widespread poverty, irregular migration, insecurity and human rights violations terrorism, violent extremism, human and drug trafficking, piracy as well as climate change and its attendant impact on the environment and livelihoods” President Akufo-Addo said.
Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, in a brief statement in English before turning to his home language noted that it is his first time in Ghana and he is delighted to be visiting. He indicated that he looks forward to developing a strong bond of friendship between Ghana and Germany beyond the current state of relations between his country and Ghana.
“It is a pleasure for me to visit your country and to engage with you and your government in talks on subjects of common interest It is my first time in Ghana and I look forward to experiencing the beauty and generously of Ghana” Chancellor, Olaf Scholz said.
