Akufo-Addo expresses gratitude to Norway for its support

General News of Sunday, June 2, 2019

Source: ghananewsagency.org

2019-06-02

Chairperson Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo thanked the Ghanaian people of Norway for the tremendous support it has provided to Ghana through various interventions.

He said Norway's successful "oil development program" for more than a decade has boosted Ghana's capacity to manage its oil resources.

The President said when visiting Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg paid a courtesy call on Jubilee House as part of her two-day official visit to Ghana.

He welcomed Norway's new initiative to ensure that partner countries become independent of aid over the long term, stating that "this" fits perfectly with the government's vision of a "Ghana". beyond help ".

Presidents Akufo-Addo said that Ghana and Norway have enjoyed fruitful relations for many years and that the visit of Prime Minister Solberg, the first of a leader of this country, was aimed at strengthening the links between the two countries. friendship and cooperation already existing. between the two nations.

He noted that Ghana and Norway shared similar positions on many issues, in particular the mutual commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the strengthening of multilateral system of international cooperation and the need for peaceful means. ways to resolve disputes.

The President rebadured the Norwegian leader of Ghana's commitment to finding sustainable solutions to the major problems of the time.

"I wish to badure you that the Republic of Ghana will continue to work with the Kingdom of Norway, bilaterally and multilaterally, to find solutions to problems such as the eradication of widespread poverty, the elimination of irregular migration, insecurity and human rights. violations, terrorism and violent extremism, trafficking in human beings and drugs, piracy, as well as climate change and its consequences on the environment and livelihoods ", he added.

President Akufo-Addo also expressed his satisfaction with the "Fish for Development" initiative signed by the two countries and welcomed its implementation because "it will have a positive impact on the managing our marine resources for the creation of wealth and jobs, particularly in fishing communities, in line with the achievement of the sustainable development issue. "

"We are also grateful for the badistance provided to the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center and the Ghana Nautical College, among others," he added.

Encouraged by the fact that more Norwegian companies are looking to invest in Ghana, the president said his government would ensure that the business climate in Ghana remains very investor friendly.

He said that the presence of Norwegian oil and gas giant, Aker Energy, in Ghana testified to the confidence of international companies and investors in the Ghanaian economy, adding that he was delighted with the fact that he was not the only one in the world. Aker's commitment "to work with us to create and inspire the industrial development of our country and help us achieve the structural transformation of our economy."

"I want to badure the more than 50 Norwegian companies operating in our country that my Government will continue to try to maintain a climate conducive to investment that not only ensures the security of their investments, but also a good return on investment," he said. he declared. I said.

President Akufo-Addo spoke of the need to speed up the process of reforms at the United Nations, particularly that of the United Nations Security Council, which seemed to be stalled.

"We are fully committed to Africa's common position on United Nations reform, based on the Ezulwini consensus, and we look forward to the issue of UN reform coming back quickly to order. of the day.

"We are seeking support from Norway and other European countries for this long-awaited reform. It is high time to address the long-standing injustice of the structure and composition of the United Nations Security Council for African nations. "

Prime Minister Solberg, for his part, said that Ghana has recorded impressive development over the years and welcomed the Ghanaian government's vision of moving the country beyond aid.

She said Ghana's "Beyond Aid" policy that the country would depend in particular on its own resources to meet its national development aspirations "is a development philosophy that I cherish" , stressing that it was imperative that Ghana examine its growth potential and work towards it.

Prime Minister Solberg has offered his country's badistance to help Ghana develop its natural resources, including fisheries, oil and gas.

She said many lessons can be learned from Norway in the oil and gas sector, particularly to ensure that the benefits of the sector accrue to the people.

She, co-chair with President Akufo-Addo of the UN's leading group for the SDGs, said the Norwegian leader would work with Ghana to ensure the sustainability of the fisheries sector.

She said that fishing, plastic pollution, climate change were major issues that both countries would look to ensure that fishermen continued to make a living.

"We often say that natural resources can be a curse for countries because they can create differences and inequalities in society. But we can work together in all aspects, including the legislative field, for the benefit of society as a whole.

She commended Ghana for incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals into its national development goals and hoped that other countries would emulate the movement.

As part of his visit, the Prime Minister would travel to Jamestown and engage with fishermen and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Center in Teshie.