Ghana and Suriname share strong historical connections that hark back to the transatlantic slave era.
Suriname’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ghana Mrs. Fidelia Graand-Galon tells MARTIN-LUTHER C. KING in this interview in Accra of how she will use this historical connection for the mutual benefit of the peoples of Suriname and Ghana.
She also hopes to see both countries explore and share benefits from their relevant experiences in tackling illegal mining.
Excerpts:
Q: Many Ghanaians do not know much about Suriname. Kindly enlighten us about
Suriname and its people? –
A: Suriname is a country of multi ethnic people with descendants from Africa, Asia and Europe. Immigrants of our neighboring countries, such as Brazil, Guyana and French Guyana are populating Suriname as well.
The official language is Dutch and the lingua franca is Sranantongo which is an Afro-Surinamese language understood by all Surinamese regardless of the ethnic group.
Suriname has about 24 languages with a population of a little over half a million.
The people of Suriname are Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Afro, native and other religion. Indian descendants are the largest ethnic group. There are also Java Indonesians, Chinese and Koreans, but not too many.
Suriname is in the South American continent but its northern border is the Atlantic Ocean, which also makes it a Caribbean nation.
The transatlantic slave trade has forced Africans to Suriname. Due to marronage during slavery we have the formation of six Afro-Surinamese tribes (Maroons) along six rivers across the Suriname hinterland. This caused Afro descendants to have 7 languages, with the national language being one of them.
Q: Kindly assess the current state of bilateral relations between Suriname and Ghana?
A: The two countries have good bilateral relations, especially since Suriname has opened an embassy in Ghana. A roadmap of the cooperation has been signed by both countries.
Q: How long has Suriname-Ghana relations been in existence?
A: Suriname-Ghana relations has been in existence for 3 years now.
Q: And how long ago was the Suriname Embassy established in Ghana?
A: The Suriname Embassy was established in 2019.
Q: In which other countries in Africa does Suriname also have embassies?
A: Suriname does not have any embassies in any other African countries, apart from Ghana.
Q: Why is Ghana very important to Suriname?
A: Ghana is important to Suriname because of the transatlantic slave trade where Africans were shipped out of Ghana to Suriname.
Ghana is also important to Suriname because it can assist Suriname in oil and gas technology since Suriname also has both natural resources.
Both countries also have the same challenges in gold mining, which is the illegal small gold mining and contamination of the environment.
Both Suriname and Ghana have a lot of similarities, like south-south cooperation with Asia and other Africa Caribbean and Pacific Nations (ACP).
Q: Suriname is rich in bauxite, gold and petroleum. How can Suriname collaborate with Ghana to harness these resources?
A: Ghana and Suriname can exchange human capital using the human resource of both countries.
Both countries can also collaborate in sharing ideas on lessons learned in each country with regards to the mining of natural resources.
They can exchange scientific studies in the mining sector, using lessons learned from each country so they can get more end-products from the raw materials theyhave.
Suriname and Ghana can also have a student exchange program of university students in the field of science, technology and engineering to betterempower their youth in this field.
Suriname is ready to learn from Ghana’s experience in the mining sector.The minister of energy of Ghana was invited to Suriname and gave a great presentation on how the two countries can work together in oil and gas.
Q: Which other economic sectors is Suriname looking for cooperation on?
A: Suriname is looking for cooperation in the fisheries sector; it participated a few months ago in ACP/EU fisheries conference in Ghana.
Suriname is also interested in agricultural cooperation with Ghana, since both countries have similar climate and foodstuff.
Both countries also have great tourist attractions that they can capitalize on.
Q: There is a physical distance of over 6000 kilometres between Accra and Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. Are there plans by Suriname Airways to commence flights to Accra?
A: Suriname is looking forward to a direct flight between the two countries and there have been discussions with the Minister of Transport and Tourism on the possibility of having the national airline of Suriname flying between the two countries, as it is only 6 hours. Since Paramaribo is considerably a hub of South America,the direct flight could be very important and beneficial to both countries and the South American continent as flying will be shorter.
Q: You were a distinguished participant at the recent Ghana Trade Policy Enlightenment Summit for Foreigners, GaTPES, in Accra. What do you think of the summit? How can future editions of the summit benefit Suriname more?
A: The summit was phenomenal and very important to me as an Ambassador, as it gave me an understanding of the rules and guidelines in doing business in Ghana. Since it had a broad spectrum of speakers from various sectors of the governing bodies, like a representative from AfCFTA, representative from Ghana Revenue Authority, representative from Lands Commission, representative from the Registrar General’s Office, etc., it was a great platform to get information from the various bodies and this information was shared with my relevant Ministry back in Suriname.
Q: At the Ghana Trade Policy Enlightenment Summit for Foreigners, GaTPES, event you called for closer relations between Suriname and Ghana, as well as other African countries, especially in the area of music, culture and tourism. What kind of relationship do you have in mind, specifically? And, what are you doing to make that a reality?
A: As an Ambassador, I look forward to creating a collaboration between Surinamese musicians and Ghanaian musicians. I intend to engage with Ghanaians, go to the different regions and exchange ideas on how both countries can share their culture with each other.
I also wish to have programs on television to inform people about the similarities between the two countries when it comes to culture, as the African descendants, especially the Maroons kept some of the cultures their ancestors used to practice; like naming ceremonies, six tribal communities with paramount chiefs and chiefs in the hinterland of Suriname.
I would also want to have functions on special days and organize Ghana-Suriname engagements, workshops, exhibitions, etc.
I intend to make use of any platformthat can give me the opportunity to exchange information between the two countries.
I am looking forward to being able to organize food fairs, artistic cultural activities where Surinamese artists can come to Ghana and perform in schools and on TV.
I also intend visiting universities and having presentations about Suriname.
I would also like to have the Embassy hosting a Mango festival in close collaboration with Caricom Ghana community where Mango will be showcased in different forms and uses.
I make sure I take the opportunity to talk to guests about Suriname anytime I am invited to functions, my pangi (which is a symbol of Suriname) is always on my shoulder as a special symbol of my country.
I look forward to having documentaries of Suriname presented to schools and communities too.
Q: What do you intend to be your major accomplishments during your tour of duty as Ambassador here?
A: During my tour of duty, I intend to regularly inform Ghanaians about Suriname, its people, its history and also let the people know the strong connection between the two countries because of the slave trade.
I also want Suriname to become more aware of the social and economic mutual benefits of Africa.
I wish to let people know where Suriname is located as soon as they hear the name on TV.
It is my aim to inform people of the rich natural resources of Suriname and let them
know that Suriname is also a football nation since some players in the Netherlands national team are of Suriname descent.
Q: Your official title is ‘Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary’. How does that work? Kindly explain what this means practically.
A: This means I am formally representing the Head of State of Suriname, who is the President; and, I have all the power and authority to represent the Government of Suriname.
Q: What would you say are your major achievements so far?
A: My major achievement so far is knowing your company and having the opportunity to participate in your Ghana Trade Enlightenment Forum for Foreigners.
I have also been to the Volta Region where I met with the Regional Minister and got the opportunity to get people interested in Suriname google and learn more about Suriname. I will only be satisfied when I see the direct flight between Suriname, Ghana and the other African countries.
Being interviewed by you and having the opportunity to speak about my country Suriname is a great achievement for me too as there will be more people hearing and reading about Suriname.
Q: Your Excellency, kindly tell us about yourself?
A: I was born in the east of Suriname, Moengo, which is a bauxite town; and, I am a member of one of the Maroon tribes; we have 6 tribes. I belong to the Okanisi tribe which is close to French Guyana.
I served as Ambassador first in Trinidad and Tobago and then now in Ghana.
I worked as a lecturer at the University of Suriname at the pre-University level and worked as a senior policy advisor to the Ministry of Planning and Development (which does not exist anymore). I am now working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
I am the founder of the Maroon Women’s Network which serves as a networking platform for development; working on awareness for social and economic benefits of the tribal communities’ sustainable development nationally and internationally.
I am also the founder of Maroon Women Chamber of Cooperation and also involved in ‘Every Girl Wins’ International Institute that was started in the United States and are starting to work here in Ghana to empower girls with their talents, regardless of their ages.
I was a senior political advisor of the Ministry of Natural Resources inthe implementation of Free Prior Informed Consent in tribal communities.
Q: Your final words, Your Excellency?
A: I would like to thank Africa for allowing us to work together to makethe world a better place, in using natural and human resources to make life better for everyone.
Using our talents and skills to effectively communicate, educate and empower each other and those who need it most.
Let’s work together and give peace achance.
Thank you!