Nations must live interdependently - Afotey Agbo

Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, Greater Accra Regional Minister, says the world has reached an era where countries must live interdependently.

He said, for that matter, Ghana cannot overlook the co-operation and support Israel has been giving to the country in the area of academic exchanges, transfer of technology, agricultural expertise among others.

Nii Afotey Agbo made the remark at the opening of a three-day conference by Africa-Israel Initiative, a religious group which is advocating Israeli technology and business transfer into Africa.

He said the need to extend economic development cooperation and partnership with nations such as Israel could therefore not be over-emphasised.

He said relationship between the two countries is growing within the historical contest of post-independence era and has continued through successive regimes.

“We as a country are very much aware of the new diplomatic environment in which we operate.

“We therefore see the partnership with Israel based on Ghana’s core foreign policy principle of positive neutrality as a strategic partnership and solidarity that would maximise Ghana’s benefits from the development opportunities and expertise that abound in Israel,” the Minister said.

Nii Afotey Agbo said it is important that as a continent and a nation to review our development philosophy in relation to our foreign policy and diplomatic strategies with a view to realising the value addition objective, which could give our economies significant boost.

“Good strategy options of value addition would undoubtedly help reduce unemployment and migration with their attendant social challenges,” he said.

He challenged envoys of state and non-state actors to spearhead negotiations and partnerships with the nation Israel that could lead to an appreciable level of value addition and exchanges of ideas, technologies and expertise that would improve mutual economies of nations.

Nii Afotey Agbo said Ghana and for that matter Africa has had a chequered history of partnerships, integration and economic diplomacy, but many of the relationship forged with foreign development partners have arguably not benefitted the citizens to a large extent.

“It is in the light of this that I see our partnership with Israel from today as one that will mark the reverse of an unworkable partnership to a new beginning where there will be a conscious effort by Israel and our nations to change our development orientation and empower our diplomatic agents, academic institutions, businesses and experts, to make better use of our abundant natural resources” he said.

He said Ghana’s position as the gateway to the West Africa sub-region would guarantee Israeli business entrepreneurs a market of more than 250 million people, adding: “We need development partners who can assist the country to establish training centres to expose artisans and middle level personnel to new technologies in use around the world.

“Our government is committed to the development of the private sector. We shall therefore welcome any assistant and partnership for the support of the sector. The reason is that a well-developed private sector will create jobs for the youth and promote socio-economic development.”

Mr Ami Mehl, the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana said the initiative was to add to the ongoing development support being offered by his country to Ghana.

Reverend Perey Gilbert Apreala, the Country Director of Africa-Israel Initiative who gave the welcomed address said the conference was an opportunity to tap into the blessings of Israel and to create job opportunities for the youth.