Welcoming the European Union (EU) Delegation to the Flagstaff House in Accra yesterday, Mr Amissah-Arthur said, “We have put incentives in the economy to improve the well-being of our people.”

He said the EU had been Ghana’s major partner over the years, adding, “I know you will be supportive of some of the measures we have taken to enhance the economy.”

Mr Amissah-Arthur said as the country progressed towards a full middle-income status, development assistance would reduce significantly, pointing out that “in view of this, the government is putting in place measures to attract and retain direct foreign investment”.

The Head of the EU Delegation in Ghana, Mr Claude Maerten, described the partnership between the EU and Ghana as “very positive which will grow from strength to strength”.

“We are fully committed to working with you, particularly in private sector development. We will cooperate with you in your priority areas,” he said.

In another development, the Vice-President has commended Japan for its volunteer services, particularly in the rural areas of Ghana.

He said Japanese volunteers’ contribution to Ghana’s economy in the areas of agriculture, education and health had been enormous.

The Vice-President made the commendation when a delegation from Japan, led by Dr Toshiko Abe, the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, paid a courtesy call on him.

Mr Amissah-Arthur used the occasion to congratulate Japan on its recent electoral success.

Dr Abe, for her part, congratulated President John Dramani Mahama and Vice-President Amissah-Arthur on the successful December elections.

She pledged to work closely to deepen the already good relations between the two countries.

Also to call on the Vice-President was the Turkish Ambassador to Ghana,  Mr Aydia Nurhan.

In a remark, the Vice-President commended Turkey for supporting Ghana’s economy to improve the lives of many Ghanaians.

“You have done a lot to improve the lives of our people. We cherish the relationship and will work to let it grow,” he said.

The Ambassador used the occasion to invite Mr Amissah-Arthur to an economic conference in Turkey in April this year.

Story by Timothy Gobah