The President, Nana Akuffo-Addo depicts Ghana’s relations with Germany as being of utmost importance as part of a speech delivered on Monday, August 23, 2021 in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Akuffo-Addo disclosed that, Ghana has set the limit off to fully participate in the global market place not only in exportation of raw materials but also in the exportation of goods made in the country.
“We in Ghana are drawing inspirations from the success stories of North Rhine-Westphalia and Germany because, likewise,we want to build a progressive and prosperous country” Akuffo-Addo said.
The President cited an African proverb which says ” if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”.
” We have resolved to walk hand in hand with North Rhine-Westphalia and Germany because, we desire to walk far, especially as we share attachments to common values of respect for indicating liberties and human rights of respect for the rule of law and for the principles of democratic accountability”.
The President, Akuffo-Addo made this known on Monday, August 23, 2021 in a speech delivered at Dusseldorf in the Federal Republic of Germany as part of the 75th anniversary celebration of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most industrial region.
Addressing the gathering in the presence of Germany’s Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel and the Minister – President for North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet, Akuffo-Addo said with Germany being a major exporter of industrial products and technology with North-Westphalia being in the lead, Ghana’s relations with Germany are of utmost importance and must be put together.
” The recent establishment of a Volkswagen assembly plant in Accra is a welcome development and we are encouraged by the fact that more and more German companies have expressed their willingness to set up shops in Ghana” he said.
The President also mentioned that, Ghana’s second priority is to increase trade and investment co-operation because it is one of the ways the country can develop healthy economic relations with North-Westphalia and Germany, and the the rest of the world by aiding to put Ghana made products at the high end of the global values chain to create jobs for the teeming masses of Ghanaian youths.
” Thirdly, Ghana and Germany must co- operate in ensuring the promotion of transparent and inclusive policy and decision-making processes at local, national, regional, continental and global levels. This would include recognizing as key stakeholders, the state to help provide direction and facilitation; the private sector to drive the creation and management of markets, agriculture, industry and decent jobs ; and civil society to help ensure accountability within the body politic” Akuffo-Addo said.
“With Germany, with North-Westphalia at her centre to our mutual advantage. We do want to, and we shall work to take Ghana to where she deserves to be a prosperous and dynamic member of the world community, which is neither victim or pawn of the world order” Akuffo-Addo said again to his commitment to renew and deepen relations with Germany.
Extending best wishes of the government and citizens of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the people of North- Westphalia, President Akuffo-Addo shared his consent on the recent flooding tragedy that befell them.
Recalling the activities that led to the formation of North Rhine-Westphalia in 1946, the President said that, there are many residents who would have seen for themselves, the destruction of their homes and businesses because of the World War II.
“I am certain many moved on in search of greener pastures elsewhere and I am equally certain that many more stayed to help in the rebuilding efforts that followed on from 1946. The founding residents’ of this state will be proud of the transformation that has taken place here since those difficult dramatic days” he added.
With North Rhine- Westphalia as German most industrial region and consistently being one of Europe’s most important economic centres,
” these laudable accolades did not happen by chance. It took creativity, determination, enterprise, hard work and innovation, and credit, for this goes to successive generations of North Rhine- Westphalians and their leaders” President Akuffo-Addo said.
