General News of Wednesday, 21 November 2018

Source: 3news.com

Diplomats commend Ghana’s shift from aid to trade

Irish Ambassador to Ghana, Sean Hoy (left) being presented with a traditional stool and other gifts Irish Ambassador to Ghana, Sean Hoy (left) being presented with a traditional stool and other gifts

Three envoys Tuesday lauded Ghana’s resolve to transition from foreign assistance to trade with her development partners, stressing that the move would put the country on the path to rapid development.

The three – the Irish Ambassador to Ghana, Sean Hoy; the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Christine Evans-Klock; and the Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Markus Nicklaus Pal Dugly – gave the commendation when they called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House in Accra to bid him farewell after completing their duty tours.

The diplomats, who met the President at separate times, said Ghana’s shift from aid to trade and cooperation with her partners had potentially given the country the leverage to attract the right kind of investments.

That cooperation, they said, had fed into the ‘Ghana beyond Aid’ vision that had given the country value for its resources and prosperity for her people.

Mr Hoy told President Akufo-Addo that Ireland supported fully his administration’s agenda to move Ghana from the dependence on aid to trade.

He said his country would continue to engage the Government and pursue trade and investment opportunities.

Mr Hoy further praised Ghana’s democratic credentials that had become an example in Africa, and said Ireland would support the advocacy and calls by the President for reforms in the United Nations.

Madam Evans-Klock, who has served her term of four years in Ghana, affirmed the conviction that the country would achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out by the UN because of the determined effort of the Government to attain the 17 key targets of the 2030 Agenda.

She applauded the democratic gains and the rule of law in Ghana, urging government to stay on that path to ensure speedy development and prosperity for the country.

The outgoing UN Resident Coordinator pressed the Government to address the vexed issue of vigilantism and the credibility of the voters’ register to sustain the country’s democratic gains.

Mr Dugly, who also hailed the ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ agenda, said Ghana was regarded by Switzerland as an important member of its Economic Development Partnership Programme.

President Akufo-Addo, on his part, commended the envoys for their successful duty tour of Ghana and wished them well in their future endeavours.

He praised their work, which had led to the strengthening of ties between Ghana and their respective countries and institutions, adding that Ghana would continue to explore ways to push the relations further.