Ghanaians not xenophobic – Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo says Ghanaians are not a people who show dislike for or prejudice against persons from other countries, stating categorically that the people of Ghana are not xenophobic.

The President made the assertion when he addressed the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire to Ghana, Togo and Benin, His Excellency Bernard Ehui Koutoua, when he paid a courtesy call on him to bid farewell to Ghana after eight (8) years of duty tour in the country.

“In recent times, some utterances in Ghana and actions of a few has given the impression somehow rather, that Ghana is now becoming a xenophobic state, that we have problems with our fellow Africans. That is the exact opposite of the truth. There is no xenophobia in Ghana, we are not a xenophobic state,” the President stated. He added that, “We are the Pan-African nation that has opened its doors to all Africans and they are not going to be the object of any hate campaign in Ghana.”

The President further stated that Ghana continues to be opened and welcoming to all Africans.

“What we will insist on, which is what every nation insists on, is that our own domestic laws are respected by those who come to our country,” the President pointed out.

Addressing the President at the Jubilee House, the out-going Ivorian Ambassador and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Ghana said he is going back to his country with a lot of fond memories that will stay with him for a very long time.

He indicated that under the leadership of President Akufo Addo and that of President Alassane Ouattara, “The joint operations of our two countries have made it possible to deal with maritime piracy and terrorism.” He was hopeful that the relationship between Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire will be deepened further, even after his departure from Ghana.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Kuwait to Ghana, His Excellency Mohammed Hussain Al-Failakawi, The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Ghana, His Excellency Mohamed Farahat, and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Ghana, His Excellency Hughes Chantry, were also at the Jubilee House to bid farewell to the President as they bring their tour of duty in Ghana to an end.