Ghana and Iran sign memorandum of understanding

Accra, March 31, GNA - Ghana and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding under which Iran would give Ghana 1.5 million dollars for budgetary support.

Additionally, the two countries signed a trade agreement to facilitate commercial exchanges between them.


This was contained in a joint communiqu=E9 issued at the end of a two-day official visit of a 90- Member Iranian Delegation led by Dr Kamel Kharazi, Foreign Minister of Iran.


Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Foreign Affairs Minister initialled for Ghana and Dr Kharazi signed for his country at brief departure ceremony at the Kotoka International Airport.


The two Ministers stressed the need for maintaining peace and stability on the African continent, saying that regional disputes should be solved peacefully through bilateral and regional dialogue.


On the political situation in West Africa, the Iranian Foreign Minister expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the United Nations (UN) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in achieving peace and stability in the Sub-Region.


The two Ministers discussed the increased drug trafficking globally and reaffirmed the determination of both governments to reduce and eliminate it.

On the situation in Iraq, the two Ministers welcomed the transitional process underway in that country and reaffirmed the right of the Iraqi people to decide on their own future.


The communiqu=E9 condemned terrorism in all forms, and called for a global action under the auspices of the UN to deal effectively with it. In this connection, they welcomed international efforts in containing the proliferation of nuclear weapons.


Later in an interview with the GNA, Nana Akufo Addo said Ghana would soon open its embassy in Tehran as assign of growing good relations between the two countries.


During the visit, the Iranian Foreign Minister paid a courtesy call on President John Agyekum Kufuor and held discussions with his Ghanaian counterpart on the political, economic, cultural and technical co-operation between the two countries.


He also attended a business forum, organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and President's Special Initiatives, to promote relationship between Iranian and Ghanaian businessmen in the fields of energy, construction, information technology, agriculture, trade and investment.