By Frank Amponsah
The Presidents of Ghana and Malta, Nana Akufo -Addo and Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca have resolved to help to facilitate the provision of a platform for enhanced economic engagement their respective countries and the member countries of ECOWAS with the view of boosting trade volumes and help bring prosperity to citizens.
The ministerial teams of the two countries as part of efforts to meet this vision, held discussions aimed essentially at strengthening the already cordial relations that exist between our two countries, as well as exploring other areas of co-operation for the mutual benefit of the people.
Addressing the media after the roundtable discussion, President Akufo-Addo enumerated that improvement in the volumes of trade between Ghana and Malta, mutual support for candidates from the two countries vying for positions with international organizations, issues of migration and the deepening of political consultations on matters of mutual interest to the two countries were discussed amongst others.
According to President Akufo-Addo, the two countries share similar aspirations and values as members of the Commonwealth and that both states have collaborated effectively on several matters over the years, particularly at the meetings of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM).
“A major outcome of this afternoon’s meeting was the reaffirmation of our commitment to collaborate further and provide mutual support at both bilateral and multilateral levels.”
He said, Ghana remains committed to the reforms of the global political order and that the inability of the United Nations to undertake the reforms of its institutions that will reflect the realities of the times, and not the realities of the post-war world, represents a manifest injustice against the peoples of Africa.
“We, on this continent, are an integral part of the global order, and global institutions should reflect this fact. For a handful of states who emerged as the dominant powers in the world after the Second World War of the 20th century to continue, in the 21st century, to be the sole arbiters of international security remains, to us, is a structural deficit, which the world community should no longer tolerate,” he said.
He also said that Ghana will continue to attach great importance to the process of UN Reform, especially of the UN Security Council, as set out in Africa’s Common Position on UN Reform, based on the Ezulwini Consensus and called for the support of Malta.
The President of Ghana said, the move is to correct the longstanding injustice that the current structure and composition of the UN Security Council represent for the nations of Africa.
“It was also agreed that Ghana and Malta extend support to candidates from our respective countries vying for positions in international organizations.
“Ghana has, therefore, given support to Malta’s bid for membership of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) elections, which take place later this year. Malta, on the other hand, will support Ghana’s bid for a Non-Permanent Seat at the UN Security Council from 2020 to 2021.”
This support mechanism has also been to the candidature of Professor Henrietta Mensah-Bonsu, as a Judge on the International Criminal Court (ICC).
An MOU has been signed by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries to that effect.
On migration, the President said the Continent has witnessed and continue to see the high numbers of young Africans taking distressing risks across the Sahara and around the Mediterranean, trying to reach a better life, whilst governments strive to provide youths with the right environment in Africa, which would enable them enhance their skills, receive appropriate training, and have access to digital technology and enhanced economic opportunities.
President Akufo-Addo revealed that Ghana has been included in the list of beneficiary countries of the EU’s Emergency Migration Fund which is designed to assist in the return and re-integration of citizens into society.
“Government will collaborate with our friends from the EU and Malta in this regard, and, at the same time, help find solutions to the factors that trigger illegal migration.”
On her part, Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca indicated that her country is committed to champion the need for humane treatment of illegal migrants as well as the protection of their human rights in accordance with international law, both at home and on EU platforms.
She indicated that there is the need for both governments need to shape the future and position their countries to compete favorably in the global market space, and pledged her support to Ghana towards that goal.
According to her she and her team are in Ghana with a message of friendship and to enhance the already good relations that is existing between the two countries and expressed optimism that their flourishing connection friendship will reap positive benefits in the best interest of their respective nations.
“It is evident that Ghana is a rapidly developing country, a country of extensive natural beauty, a country with rich ethnic and cultural values, a country of great possibilities and potentials. …Our roundtable meeting today with our delegation was very constructive and managed on variety of issues which are of highly and great importance to our two countries,”
Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said that there is much more to be done to further explore the great potentials of the two countries, boost opportunities and further enhance their bilateral relations in the area of social, political and economic life.
According to her, the MoU signed between ministers of the two countries shown their enthusiasm to enhance the collaborations the two nations have for deeper commitments and collaborations.
She also indicated that all is set for both countries to enhance their commitment to develop, grow, and boost future businesses between the two countries, and expressed confident that the two countries will be able to achieve mutual prosperity and holistic wellbeing for their societies.
According to her, she sees Ghana as a strong nation with the potentials to encourage promote and grow potential businesses to the benefit of the continent and urged leaders to continue their work towards the eradication of extreme poverty and build wealth for the citizens.
