Minister calls for Japanese support for Ghana’s candidacy for the United Nations Security Council | General news

Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has requested Japan’s support in Ghana’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council from 2022 to 2023.

The Foreign Minister also urged Japan to support Ghana’s candidacy for membership in the United Nations Narcotics Board for 2022-2025 as well as for members of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2022. to 2027.

Ms. Botchwey made this request when Mr. Himeno Tsutomu, the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, paid her a courtesy visit in Accra.

The meeting, which was held at the request of Mr. Himeno, enabled the minister to brief the Ambassador on the priorities of the Akufo-Addo administration during his second term.

On the reform of the UN Security Council, the Minister said that Ghana attaches great importance to global governance, hence the Security Council reforms, which is why Ghana has been a strong supporter. reforms within the UN to make it more democratic and representative to meet complex challenges. international peace and security.

She recalled that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had played a key role in the processes leading to the Ezulwini Consensus and assured that Ghana would continue to adhere to it and work closely with Japan to advance the negotiations and in the right direction.

Ms. Botchwey recognized the excellent tradition of cooperation and mutual support for each other’s candidacy for positions in various multilateral institutions and expressed hope that the two countries will continue to cooperate and support in this regard.

She thanked the Government of Japan for the immense support and cooperation it has given to successive governments of Ghana in their diplomatic relations and pledged its determination to work with Mr. Himeno to further strengthen the bonds of friendship based on the respect, solidarity and development.

Regarding priority areas for relations between Ghana and Japan, the minister said that strengthening diplomatic relations, deepening economic, trade, investment and technical cooperation, promoting cultural partnership and collaboration on global issues were the key issues.

On strengthening diplomatic relations, Ayorkor Botchwey said the government intends to promote the exchange of high-level visits and interactions between Ghanaian and Japanese leaders at all levels.

She said ministers of state were encouraged to engage more with their Japanese counterparts and ask the ambassador to help facilitate such engagements when the need arose.

She expressed hope that the two sides could work together to ensure Prime Minister Yoshohide Suga visits Ghana next year.

With the deepening of trade and investment cooperation, Ms Ayorkor Botchwey said that the establishment of the Japan Foreign Trade Organization (JETRO) in Accra in December 2020 and the Japan-Ghana Business Council in December 2019, testified to the joint commitment of the two countries. enhance the growth of trade and investment.

Himeno briefed the minister on preparations for the Eighth Tokyo International Africa Development Conference scheduled for 2022 in Tunisia, as well as the nutrition summit to be held in Japan in December 2021.

He discussed topical issues of interest to Japan, including reform of the UN Security Council, the contribution of North Korea and Japan to peace and security in Africa, and cooperation projects in Africa. development in Ghana such as the improvement of the Tema highway roundabout (phase two).