By Edmund Mingle
The governments of Ghana and Turkey yesterday took steps to consolidate the bilateral ties between the two countries with the signing of four agreements in various sectors.
The signing of the agreements was the outcome of bilateral talks between the two countries, at the Flagstaff House in Accra, led by visiting Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President John Mahama.
The two leaders were optimistic the agreements would pave the way for more benefits to accrue from the partnership between the two nations.
With the aim of promoting and protecting investments by the two sides, an Investment Treaty was signed, while bilateral agreement on Communications was also signed.
In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Sports Development, while another MoU on Energy and Natural Resources, was initialed.
Addressing journalists after witnessing the signing of the various agreements by the heads of the respective sectors, the two Presidents agreed that it was time to advance the partnership between Ghana and Turkey for the mutual benefit of their people.
According to President Erdoğan, who was accompanied by a 150 business and government delegation on the State visit, described Ghana a reliable development partner, and gave assurance of his government’s commitment to the partnership.
Ghana, he said, remained a beacon of peace and source of inspiration for political and economic stability in Africa, adding that Ghana also a viable platform in collaboration with the West Africa region.
As Turkey’s fourth largest trade partner in Sub-Saharan Africa, President Erdoğan noted that Turkey would continue to work with Ghana for regional peace and economic growth.
With regard to trade between the two countries, he said his government was targeting the grade level to hit 1billion dollars by 2020, and expressed Turkey’s commitment in advancing more Foreign Direct Investments to boost Ghana’s energy, infrastructure and agriculture sectors.
He lauded the Ghana’s adoption of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) development concept, saying it provides a good channel for Turkish businesses to invest in Ghana.
“I am optimistic that this visit would yield the most positive results,” President Erdoğan said through an interpreter.
President Mahama, for his part, expressed appreciation of the government for the visit, which he said would open up more opportunities for cooperation.
He gave the assurance that he would offer his personal attention to ensure that the two-month time frame given for the start of the implementation of the agreements were respected, adding that Ghana remained committed to the relationship with Turkey.
In addition, he thanked the government of Turkey for the various support interventions advanced to Ghana, and cited educational scholarships and the building of the new national mosque as efforts that would benefit Ghanaians.
On security, he lauded an invitation extended to the Minister of Defence to visit Turkey to explore opportunities in defence and intelligence sector, and gave the assurance that the country would take maximum advantage to increase collaboration in that area.
Touching on project financing, he announced that a list of project proposal were being discussed to be presented to the Turkish EXIM bank for funding, and hoped that the that government would offer support in that regard.
With regard to diplomatic and economic and cooperation, President Mahama indicated that authorization has been given for the establishment of a new Ghana Consulate in Istanbul, the Turkish political capital to facilitate cooperation and trade between the two nations.
He commended Turkey in the fight against terrorism, saying “Ghana stands with Turkey and other nations in the fight against terrorism.”
President Mahama also called for global support for Turkey in handling the influx of refugees from Syria and other troubled parts areas, indicating that Turkey was currently accommodating about four million refugees which is the highest being accommodated by any European country.
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