FOUR NEW envoys accredited by their respective countries yesterday presented their letters of credence to President Akufo-Addo.
They include the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Bernice Owen-Jones; Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Ghana, Bijan Gerami Nazoksara; Ambassador of Switzerland to Ghana, Simone Giger, and Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo to Ghana, Jeannette Njuma Nyakeru.
The Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Bernice Owen-Jones, who was first to present her credentials, noted that her main objective during her tour of duty in Ghana will be to improve business-to-business links, build closer links with universities and improve collaboration with civil society organisations between Australia and Ghana.
“Your Excellency, the Australian government is committed to working with your government to make an already strong relationship even stronger, take it to the next level and as the Australian High Commissioner, it will be a pleasure and an honour to work towards that goal,” she said.
President Akufo-Addo welcomed the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana and noted that he was impressed with the level of participation of Australian companies in Ghana’s extractive sector, where about 26 welding companies from Australia are currently actively working and also listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange.
Next was the Iranian Ambassador to Ghana, Bijan Gerami Nazoksara, who said he will devote all his efforts and energies towards enhancing the already strong ties of friendship and cooperation that exists between Ghana and Iran, for the mutual benefit of the peoples of the two sovereign countries.
He called on Ghana to offer her support to Iran on the international stage in its quest to develop the country’s nuclear energy sector for peaceful use.
President Akufo-Addo observed that Ghana and Iran have cooperated very well at various levels of development such education, health among others.
On the subject of nuclear energy development, he noted that Ghana’s concerns about the peaceful uses of nuclear energy was high and, therefore, hopes that the ongoing issues confronting Iran in terms of nuclear energy will be resolved amicably.
“You can be assured that Ghana will provide the necessary support from our modest means to make sure that the process ends in a constructive and positive manner,” he assured.
The Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Simone Giger, recalled what he said used to be the enduring ties of friendship and cooperation that existed between Switzerland and Ghana.
Switzerland, she said, thus considered Ghana an economic lioness and with the newly designed structure for Switzerland’s Africa relations, she was looking forward to a deeper relationship between her country and Ghana.
President Akufo-Addo affirmed there still exist a very strong relationship between Switzerland and Ghana.
He, therefore, stressed his government’s determination to work with the new Swiss envoy throughout her tour of duty to strengthen the ties between Ghana and the Swiss people.
Last on the bill was the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Jeannette Njuma Nyakeru, who promised to revive bilateral cooperation between her country and Ghana, which has stalled for some time now.
She called on President Akufo-Addo to use Ghana’s seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to push for the peace and security of the Democratic Republic of Congo with regard to Rwanda.
On his part, President Akufo-Addo agreed with the suggestion for the revival of the relationship between the two countries.
On the Security Council request, President Akufo-Addo said Ghana will use her space on the UNSC to promote peace and stability, especially, on the African continent.
“So whatever we can do within our modest means to spread the doctrine of peace on the continent, we are doing it.
“We think that the DRC and Rwandan matter is a matter that should be settled, and we will be very active to try and find a way to do it,” President Akufo-Addo said.
BY Charles Takyi-Boadu