General News of 2013-02-22

France ready to relocate embassy from Flagstaff area

France has expressed its readiness to relocate its embassy from the Flagstaff House area as a sign of respect for the sovereignty and fostering of stronger bond with Ghana.

The French Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Frederic Clavier, who made this known to the Daily Graphic in Takoradi, said, he was in talks with the government of Ghana to identify a suitable place to locate its embassy.

He said he had made a proposal to the government of Ghana on the planned relocation, saying "I can tell you I am in a very close contact with Ghanaian authorities and there is absolutely no problem in that direction."

"We have made proposal to the Ghanaian authorities and I can confirm that the two countries are working together to see what would be the next step which will be in the best interest of the two countries," he said.

Ambassador Clavier said the relationship between the two countries was of utmost importance and very strong, as such, relocating our embassy due to its closeness to the seat of government cannot create any problem; "we are at peace with our host Ghana".

He would not give a timeline but bu said plans were far advanced and the planned relocation would be soon and the agreed location announced.

"I cannot tell you further details in the interest of security but I can assure you and the people of Ghana that we are moving," he said smiling.

Asked if France was comfortable, he responded in the affirmative, saying "France is very comfortable with the planned relocation and that is why the proposal for the relocation was put forward for further discussion, remember the years of strong bond between the two countries was making negotiations or talks much easier."

"I can tell you that my mission in Ghana was to build on the existing strong bond between the two countries to ensure the bilateral relations between the two countries were stronger," he said.

He commended the government and people of Ghana for the manner they handled the issue and gave an assurance, that France would relocate its mission and the existing bond would continue to grow even stronger.