Ghana to co-host G7 Friends of the Gulf of Guinea meeting in 2019

Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has announced that Ghana will co-host the G7 Friends of the Gulf of Guinea Group (G7++FOGG) in 2019.

Speaking at the 2018 edition of Ghana-EU Political Dialogue, the minister said host nation of the 45th G7 summit, France gave Ghana the opportunity to co-host the G7++ after a crucial meeting with the European Union and its member states.

According to her, France came to this decision after seeing the country’s efforts in achieving its Ghana Beyond Aid agenda and is optimistic that the partnership between both parties will remain strong until the vision is attained.

“Ghana has accepted the offer made by France as the next chair of the G7 to co-host the G7++ initiative of the Gulf of Guinea cooperation. I wish to reiterate my heartfelt gratitude to the EU and its member states for the positive support to and feedback on Ghana’s efforts at realising the president’s vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid. We are confident that your partnership in this endeavour will remain strong until the vision is attained”, she stated.

The G7 Friends of the Gulf of Guinea Group (G7++FOGG) constitutes a crucial means of underpinning Africa’s architecture of peace and security by making available to all the Nations of the region the technical and financial contribution of international donors in order to build the capacity of national public administrations in all sectors involving the management of the ocean; from coast guards and sharing information on maritime traffic, to the reform of the judicial and investigation system.

The aim is to further develop the network that African Countries have established through regional economic organisations (ECOWAS, ECCAS and GGC).

However, speaking at the Ghana-EU Political Dialogue, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia called on Ambassadors of the European Union member states to enhance trade and investments with Ghana in order to help the nation achieve President Akufo-Addo’s vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid.

The Head of the EU Delegation to Ghana, Diana Acconcia also lauded government’s efforts at attaining the Ghana Beyond Aid agenda through the introduction of flagship programmes such as the One District- One Factory policy.

She also pledged the EU’s support in realising the Ghana Beyond Aid vision.

The 2018 edition of the Ghana-EU Political Dialogue is a central part of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement which stipulates in Article 8 that the parties shall regularly engage in a comprehensive, balanced and deep political dialogue leading to commitments on both sides.

The meeting focused on issues relating to trade, investment, business environment in Ghana, migration and human rights, multilateral affairs and regional integration, common action on regional security and sustainable development, among others.