The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institution of Belgium praised Ghana’s robust economic development agenda for creating opportunities and improving intra-African and global trade.
Mr Bernard Quintin was pleased with Ghana’s cocoa, which was produced partly for the domestic market and exported.
“It is important to export to have forex to make your economy work and translate into a better social life,” he said at a press briefing in Accra.
Mr Quintin was directed by Ms Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, to represent the European Union (EU) at the inauguration ceremony of President-elect John Mahama on January 7, 2025.
The inauguration ceremony is a significant moment for Ghana, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s history.
The high-level EU delegation has demonstrated commitment to Ghana as a partner in sustainable and inclusive development and regional security.
Mr Quintin was impressed by the number of more than 20 heads of state who were present at the inauguration ceremony.
Mr Quintin’s visit demonstrated the importance of the relations between Belgium, the European Union, and Ghana and the shared desire to strengthen the partnership in the political, economic, and human domains.
“It is so important to come for this ceremony because Ghana is a very important partner of Belgium and the European Union in Western Africa, not only in trade traditionally, but also in security matters.
“The EU has become Ghana’s first partner in security matters,” he said.
In his capacity as the EU’s representative, he reiterated the goals of the EU-Ghana partnership, which include regional security, sustainability, economic diversification, and job creation.
He met with leaders from Ghana and Africa to talk about important topics like the Sahelian security situation, the war on jihad, and prospects for economic growth.
The Belgian foreign minister emphasised that these issues were of shared concern and emphasised the significance of successful cooperation between European and African partners.
He was pleased with President John Mahama’s and his new administration’s agenda, especially with regard to accountability and the battle against corruption.
“We do think that accountability is important, and we certainly support this new administration in this business-minded environment and all the important elements that were said in President Mahama’s inauguration speech,” he said.
Mr Quintin and his team had an audience and lunch with Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, met with Omar Touray, President of ECOWAS, and had bilateral meetings with regional leaders.
The team also visited Niche Cocoa, a Ghanaian company receiving Belgian funding via BIO-Invest.
The Belgian Foreign Minister was accompanied by Mr Irchad Razaaly, EU Ambassador to Ghana; Mrs Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana; Mrs Sibille de Cartier d’Yves, Belgium Special Envoy for the Sahel and West Africa; and Mr Philip Haspeslagh, Adviser to the Belgian Foreign Minister.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
