Ambassador To Mali Embarks On Tour

In pursuance of the implementation of the outreach programme drawn up by the Ghana Embassy in Mali as part of its mission to vigorously pursue Ghana?s foreign policy goals of extending Consular/Welfare services to Ghanaian nationals irrespective of their location as well as to develop and strengthen socio- economic ties with our neighbouring countries, His Excellency Maj-Gen C.N.B Yaache Ghana?s Ambassador to Mali, undertook a tour of the Segou and Sikasso Regions of Mali from 09th October to 12th October 2007. The tour included the Districts of Niono(Segou Region) and Koutiala as well as the border town of Kouri(Sikasso Region).

Specifically, the objectives of the visit to the these areas were: to assess the Consular needs of our compatriots; hold discussions with host Regional and Local Government authorities on the welfare and security of our nationals living and transiting the Regions; and educate our nationals on current developments in Ghana. H.E the Ambassador also took the opportunity to impress upon our nationals the need to identify means by which trade and economic cooperation between the two countries could be facilitated and enhanced.

H.E, the Ambassador was accompanied by the Consul, Mr. Emmanuel Opeku and some Executive Committee Members of the Association of Ghanaians living in Mali (ASCOGHAM).

The first stop of the Ambassador and his delegation was the district of Niono, in the fourth Region of Segou. Niono is one of the areas in Mali where large scale irrigation methods have been effectively employed to develop the production of rice and other cereals under the auspices of ?Office du Niger?, a Government Agency.

At Niono, His Excellency, the Ambassador and his delegation took the opportunity to hold a meeting with a cross section of the Ghana Community, during which he advised them to be united and law abiding. He also briefed them on the ongoing redenomination of the national currency, the cedi. He assured the gathering that the exercise had so far not experienced any major difficulties. On the power rationing exercise which had lasted for about one year in Ghana, H.E the Ambassador informed the Ghana Community that it was finally over and that the government was taking adequate measures to prevent a reoccurrence. The Ambassador also held separate meetings with the local security and political authorities centred mainly on the welfare and protection of our nationals under their jurisdiction. He further held preliminary discussions on the operations of the ?Office du Niger? with the Prefect and Mayor of Niono and asked for more detailed information on the project to determine how Ghana and Mali could derive mutual benefit from this laudable endeavour.

The second leg of the tour took H.E the Ambassador and his delegation to the district of Koutiala and the border town of Kouri in the Sikasso Region. Ambassador Yaache, who had identified one of the major problem within the Ghana communities as lack of unity encouraged Ghanaians in both areas to be united and work together to ensure peace and harmony within their membership.

H.E., the Ambassador and his delegation also met the Prefect and the Mayor as well as the Heads of the Police and Gendarmerie at their respective offices. While recalling the excellent historical, cultural, political and socio-economic ties between the two countries, the Ambassador impressed upon each of the local heads the need to protect our nationals within their areas of jurisdiction. In response, the Officials promised to henceforth take more interest in the welfare of the Ghanaian Community. They also praised the exemplary behaviour of Ghanaian Nationals in the district; a sentiment that has been echoed in all the areas visited.

Ghanaian traders and travelers had complained on several occasions of the ill treatment meted out to them by the Police and Customs officials at the Kouri border. In this regard, H.E Ambassador Yaache held a joint meeting with the Sub-Prefect, the Mayor, the Head of the Customs Unit and the Head of the Gendarmerie as well as other public servants working in the border town of Kouri. The good relations between the two countries were underscored and the local authorities gave the assurance that they would henceforth ensure that our traders were well treated at the border

After, the meeting, the Ambassador took the opportunity to visit the police post at the border and held discussions with the officers on how best to ensure that Ghanaian nationals as well as their goods and services, enjoy a quick and safe passage, through the border posts.

Just as in the previous consular/Trade visits undertaken by the Ambassador, the responses received from both the Ghana Communities in the areas visited as well as the host local authorities were very positive. All the host local authorities were not only surprised but happy that it was the first time that an Ambassador had interacted with them at that level.

It is expected that the ongoing personal contacts would continue to improve the welfare of our nationals living and transiting the towns as well as play an important role in the free movement of goods by our traders to and from the country.

H.E. Ambassador Yaache and his delegation have since returned to Bamako.