Slovenia and Ghana deepen development ties

Dr Miro Cerar, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Slovenia, has pledged his country’s support for African countries towards sustainable development.

He assured that Slovenia would back priorities defined in the Agenda 2063 for African development, a blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future.

A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency said Dr Cerar gave the assurance at the 2019 Africa Day International Conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

He extolled the virtues of Ghana and Africa, describing the continent as one with the fastest growing economy and great potential for the future.

The statement said representatives from over 30 countries in Africa and the European Union attended the conference, the eighth in a series, which sought to examine the future of African and European relations and cooperation in the context of changing demographics, employment opportunities and migration patterns.

It was on the theme: “Economic Transformation, Inclusion and Jobs: The Role of European and African Partnership.”

Mr Mohammad Habibu Tijani, a Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, said considering the challenges facing the global community in the 21st century, Africa and Europe were compelled to build strategic partnerships in their common quest for solutions.

It said, “As you are aware, the EU is Africa's leading partner in trade, foreign investment and development. 36 per cent of Africa's trade is with the EU. On average, Africa receives about EUR 22 billion in EU Official Development Assistance (ODA) yearly.

“About 40 per cent of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Africa are EU investment stocks. Our two continents are therefore compelled by our common history to build on the gains made so far and work towards building a better life for our future generations”.

According to the statement, the Deputy Minister welcomed the Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs between Africa and Europe as a laudable initiative that has the potential to transform the economic fortunes of the African continent if implemented in the spirit of a true partnership.

It said Dr Mohammed Awal, the Minister of Business Development, stated that Ghana was the best destination for business, outlining government’s plans for the next four years.

The statement quoted Dr Awal as stating that government had taken steps to modernise agriculture; focus on industrialization, infrastructural development, Human resource development and entrepreneurship.

It said Ghana and the Republic of Slovenia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Economic Cooperation on the margins of the eighth Africa Day International conference.

The MOU is aimed at developing and strengthening economic cooperation on the widest possible scale and in all fields deemed to be of mutual interest and benefit.

Describing the exercise as a crucial one, Slovenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Dobran Bozic, indicated that the gesture would not only create favourable investment conditions for the two countries but also help promote long-term cooperation in the areas of agriculture, energy, science and technology as well as trade in goods and services.

Dr Awal Signing the MOU on behalf of the Government of Ghana welcomed a Ghana Slovenia partnership, citing the visit of the Slovenian Business delegation to Ghana early on in the year as a significant step to further deepen trade and economic ties between the two countries.

Other members of the Ghanaian delegation included Mr Robert Ahomka Lindsay, a Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Lawrence Agyinsam, Chief Executive of the Ghana Exim Bank, Madam Afua Asabea Asare, the Chief Executive of Ghana Export Promotions Authority as well as Madam Eudora Hilda Koranteng Quartey, Ghana’s Ambassador to the Republic of Italy.