Ghana and Tunisia set new agenda for growth

Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (MP) has hinted of a renewed commitment by Ghana and Tunisia to set a new agenda for deepened engagement at all levels and particularly within the area of economic cooperation.

The Hon. Minister made the pronouncement when she arrived in the Republic of Tunisia to begin a two-day official visit, a historic one in forty years by a Ghanaian Foreign Minister to the historic oil-rich nation.

Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey’s visit is at the invitation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tunisia, H.E. Mr. Khemaies Jhinaoui.

The Ghanaian Foreign Minister is expected to hold discussions with her Tunisian counterpart and sign some agreements with her host during the period.

The Minister will also hold discussions with the Tunisian Ministers of Trade and Industry to explore areas of possible collaboration for mutual benefits, while engaging in a touristic and cultural visit to the Sidi Bou Said, a village laden with history and spirituality.

It will be recalled, the visit to Accra by a 26-member Tunisian business delegation led by the Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Hatem Ferjani from 13 - 17th January 2019 and the useful engagement that took place with the business community of Ghana during the Mission.

Some of the important matters discussed during that visit included the intention to boost connectivity between Accra and Tunis through direct air links by Air Tunis and a direct shipping line to the Port of Tema which according to Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey will dominate discussions among other pertinent issues tabled.

The historical ties that exist between Ghana and Tunisia dates back to the post -independence era and especially between Ghana’s first President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and former President Habib Bourguiba of Tunisia in the best traditions of Pan-Africanism.