France, Ghana to sign sovereign debt restructuring agreement soon – Ambassador
France and Ghana are set to sign a bilateral agreement on the restructuring of Ghana’s sovereign debt, the French Ambassador to Ghana, Jules Armand Aniambossou, has announced.
He said France was supporting Ghana’s economic recovery through sovereign loans in key sectors such as maritime safety and public health.
Speaking at a Bastille Day celebration hosted at his residence in Accra on Saturday night, July 12, 2025, the Ambassador praised the France-Ghana Chamber of Commerce for its contributions to the economic growth of both nations.
Ambassador Aniambossou also commended French companies for maintaining their confidence in Ghana even during difficult periods. He said French businesses operating in the country had created more than 50,000 direct and indirect jobs and had invested over €2.5 billion in Ghana’s economy.
He applauded the Ghanaian government for restoring investor confidence and called for the continued preservation of a fair and competitive market to attract further investment.
Bastille Day celebration
The French National Day, also known as “Le Jour de la Bastille,” is observed on July 14 each year in honour of the French Revolution. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, a key moment symbolising the French people’s fight against oppression and the birth of freedom and democracy.
It also marks the “Fête de la Fédération” on July 14, 1790, a day to celebrate liberty, equality, and fraternity—the core values of the French Republic.
The Accra celebration was attended by several dignitaries including the Minister of State in Charge of Public Sector Reforms, Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, who represented the government; Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Jinapor; Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams; and the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
Also present were members of the diplomatic corps led by its Dean, Maher Kheir, traditional leaders, CEOs of corporate institutions, officials from government agencies, and members of the French community in Ghana.
Commendation and commitment
Ambassador Aniambossou lauded the enduring friendship between Ghana and France, noting a deepening of bilateral relations and a commitment to shared values such as equality and mutual respect.
He also praised Ghana’s democratic credentials following the peaceful conduct of the 2024 elections and subsequent transition of power.
“You have shown that your country is still the beacon of democracy, the beacon of stability in the region. Ghana has entered a new phase, and France stands by its side,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the government, Ms Akanvariba reiterated Ghana’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with France. She described the bilateral ties as being founded on mutual respect, shared values, and a joint aspiration for prosperity and well-being.
She thanked the French government for its support during Ghana’s recent democratic transitions and for its ongoing solidarity with the Ghanaian people.
“France's steadfast commitment to the principles of multilateralism, global peace, and international stability mirrors the core values upheld by Ghana. We are privileged to collaborate with France in the promotion of these shared ideals across the African continent and on the global stage,” she said.
Ms Akanvariba also welcomed ongoing collaborations, such as the Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development Project (IA4SDG) between Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Université Paris-Saclay.
She said the government was encouraged by the spirit of cooperation and remained committed to harnessing the potential of key sectors, including creative arts, security, language and education, in advancing the country’s national development agenda.
