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Report by Edward FRIMPONG
Ghana and Portugal have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen their relations for the benefit of their citizens. This commitment was made by the two countries at a meeting which was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration on 3rd July, 2023, when the Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers of Portugal, H.E. Joao Gomes Cravinho and H.E. Helena Carrieras paid a two-day joint working visit to Ghana. The two Portuguese Ministers held bilateral discussions with their Ghanaian counterparts, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and Hon. Dominic Nitiwul.
During a press briefing after the meeting, the Minister for Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey acknowledged the historical links between Ghana and Portugal which dates back to the 15th century when Portuguese sailors first landed on the shores of the Gold Coast now Ghana and the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 1975.
Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey called for expansion of relations and cooperation with Portugal at the bilateral and multilateral levels and noted the potential for trade and economic cooperation. She therefore, urged the private sectors of the two countries to come together to explore possible avenues for cooperation in various sectors of Ghana’s economy, in support of Government’s programmes such as “Planting for Food and Jobs” and its overall transformation agenda to promote economic growth and employment generation to help address rising youth unemployment.
On his part, the Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Joao Gomes Cravinho expressed the readiness of the Portuguese Government to further deepen relations and to cooperate with Ghana at the bilateral and multilateral level on security and economic issues.
On issues concerning defence and security, Hon. Dominic Nitiwul acknowledged Portugal’s contribution to Ghana’s maritime security within the context of the European Union’s Support to West Africa Integrated Maritime Security (SWAIMS). He also called for a concerted effort in the fight against terrorism in the sub-region.
The Portuguese Minister of Defence, H.E. Helena Carrieras pledged her country’s support for the Accra Initiative to address terrorism and violent extremist activities in the West African sub-region to restore normalcy to the affected countries which have been affected by the activities of terrorists.
Ghana and Portugal also signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on the Modality of allocation and utilization of rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBS) under the SWAIMS programme, which will further contribute to improving maritime security in Ghana’s maritime zone and strengthen maritime governance, as part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Integrated Maritime Strategy.
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