Belgium Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bernard Quintin
Bernard Quintin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institution of Belgium, has hailed Ghana’s robust economic development agenda to create opportunities and enhance Intra-African and global trade.
He expressed satisfaction about Ghana’s cocoa, which was produced partly for the national market and for export.
“It is important to export in order to have forex to make your economy work and translate into a better social life,” he said at a press briefing in Accra.
Mr Quintin was directed by Ms Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, to represent the European Union (EU) at the inauguration ceremony of President-elect John Mahama on January 7, 2025.
The inauguration ceremony is a significant moment for Ghana, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s history.
The high-level EU delegation has demonstrated commitment to Ghana as a partner on sustainable and inclusive development and regional security.
Mr Quintin was impressed by the number of more than 20 heads of state who were present at the inauguration ceremony.
Mr Quintin visit demonstrated the importance of the relations between Belgium, the European Union, and Ghana and the shared desire to strengthen the partnership in the political, economic, and human domains.
“It is so important to come for this ceremony because Ghana is a very important partner of Belgium and the European Union in Western Africa, not only in trade traditionally, but also in the security matters.
“The EU has become the first partner of Ghana on security matters,” he said.
As the EU’s representative, he reaffirmed the EU-Ghana partnership priorities on job creation, economic diversification, sustainability, regional security, and others.
He met with Ghanaian and African leaders to discuss key issues such as the security situation in the Sahel, the fight against jihadism, and economic development opportunities.
These matters, the Belgian Foreign Minister stressed, were of common concern and underlined the importance of effective collaboration between European and African partners.
He expressed happiness about the programme of President John Mahama and his new administration, particularly with the accountability and the fight against corruption.
“We do think that accountability is important, and we certainly support this new administration in this business-minded environment and all the important elements that were said in President Mahama’s inauguration speech,” he said.
President Mahama’s four key policy areas are economic restoration and stabilisation, improvement of the business and investment environment, governance and constitutional reforms and accountability and the fight against corruption.
Mr Quintin and his team had an audience and lunch with Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, met with Omar Touray, President of ECOWAS, and had bilateral meetings with regional leaders.
The team also visited Niche Cocoa, a Ghanaian company receiving Belgian funding via BIO-Invest.
The Belgian Foreign Minister was accompanied by Mr Irchad Razaaly, EU Ambassador to Ghana; Mrs Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana; Mrs Sibille de Cartier d’Yves, Belgium Special Envoy for the Sahel and West Africa; and Mr Philip Haspeslagh, Adviser to the Belgian Foreign Minister.
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