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The Vice President of Ghana, H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to address the Times of Africa, one of India's leading news outlets, on Ghana-India relations ahead of CII-EXIM Bank's 14th conclave on partnership India-Africa.
Vice President of one of the most prosperous countries on the African continent, HE Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia landed in New Delhi, India, on Saturday, March 16, 2019, on the occasion of the 14th ICN-I Congress. EXIM Bank on the India-Africa partnership. He was received by the High Commissioner of Ghana, HE Mr. Michael Aaron N. Oquaye Esq (Jnr) and a high-level delegation from the host country.
On his first visit to India, the Times of Africa had the honor of maintaining an exclusive interaction with the Honorable Vice President a few minutes after his arrival. With deep ideas like the ocean and a personality as calm as the sea, dignitaries spoke pbadionately about strengthening the bilateral partnership between India and Ghana, emerging forces of the global economy.
YOU: What are your expectations of the event?
H.E.MB: I would like to begin by thanking the Government of India for organizing this conclave. Intensified cooperation between India and Africa, particularly in the area of economic relations, is a tremendous effort. I hope that we will deepen our cooperation in specific areas and that this conclave would be productive in this direction.
Ghana has had extremely productive relations with India. Some of the projects that we have been able to achieve come from this conclave over the years.
YOU: What are the priority areas in which the Government of Ghana would like to collaborate with the Indian business community?
H.E.M.B: I am accompanied by several business delegates from Ghana. The Ghanaians will meet the Indians and the Indians will meet the Ghanaians. We also have many areas of potential cooperation between our respective business communities and the government.
India has expertise in the field of ICT. Ghana is also focused on the transition to a digital economy.
Health care and pharmaceuticals are other promising areas. A number of Ghanaians use the Indian health system. We would like to set up the same kind of medical institutions present in India.
Ghana is becoming the pharmaceutical center of West Africa. Our businessmen will be very well placed to have productive commitments in these areas.
Agriculture, oil and gas also have a place for cooperation between India and Ghana.
YOU: Ghana's President, H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo has launched a number of initiatives, including "One District, one Factory". What kind of alliance are you looking for in India to strengthen Ghana's manufacturing capabilities?
H.E.M.B: From Ghana's point of view, President Nana Akufo-Addo has set itself the goal of industrialization because we can not become a producer of primary products without adding value to our resources.
We examine the quest for industrialization from different angles. "District, Factory" summarizes this program for each district – all 254 of them.
There must be a commodity to which you can add value, small or large. In the agri-food industry, for example, we encourage the private sector to set up factories and encourage them to continue.
We also encourage the creation of pharmaceutical and automotive industries.
We are on a dynamic of industrialization; we want to add value to every commodity, such as minerals, by creating refineries of gold, bauxite, iron and steel.
We have an ambitious agenda to industrialize and add value to all resources. India having a lot of experience in industrialization, we think that the country can help us realize our dream of industrializing Ghana.
YOU: Ghanaian farmers are increasingly aware of the technological innovations that can help them achieve higher production. To deepen this awareness, are you looking for a technology transfer from India?
H.E.M.B: Absolutely! For us, agriculture is the key. 60 to 70% of our population is engaged in agriculture. So, if we need this leap of transformation, agricultural productivity must increase.
Today, this can not be achieved without the application of technology.
Many farmers lack information on different things. All necessary information such as product prices in different markets, the right kind of fertilizer, etc. can be transmitted to your mobile phone.
In Ghana, we have developed a digital addressing system that uniquely identifies every five meters by five meters of land or water. It's operational now. You can reach any farm using its numeric address. This innovation was developed by Ghanaians.
The use of technology can therefore allow farmers access to inputs and much more.
YOU: Your closing remarks on your visit to India!
H.E.M.B: This is my first time in India, so I look forward to this visit. I came with a team of ministers and business people.
We have long, productive and warm relations with India since independence. There is a deep affection between the two countries. The Indian Prime Minister, the Indian Prime Minister, has laid a solid foundation for our bilateral relations. Jawaharlal Nehru and the first president of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The two great leaders also maintained a close friendship.
During this visit, we wish to deepen our economic relations with India. We want to go beyond help and focus on trade and investment.
This conclave is very coherent in our ambition and will prove mutually beneficial.
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