The French Ambassador to Ghana, Diarra Dimé-Labille, has said relations between France and Ghana have grown stronger over the past year, with closer cooperation in health, security, trade and education.
“I can say with great satisfaction that ties between the two countries are growing stronger, with closer cooperation in several areas of mutual interest such as health, security, trade and education," she said.
The ambassador made the remarks at a reception for the French community in Ghana at her residence in Accra, a year after assuming duty.
Open engagement, acknowledgement
On Ghana’s advocacy for restorative justice at the international level, the ambassador said France was open to engagement and has made concrete commitments that will guide its actions in the future.
She said there was progress on the economic front, with major contracts signed and several meetings between the two Presidents in Paris, New York and Nairobi.
"As you can see, our objective is the strengthening of our bilateral relations, despite any objections from our competitors and detractors," Ms Dimé-Labille stated.
The ambassador praised the dynamism of the French community, the business community and Equipe France in Ghana, describing their sense of camaraderie as the greatest pièce de résistance.
"For the past year, I have witnessed the dynamism driven by all French actors in Ghana and the sense of camaraderie that unites us. That is our greatest pièce de résistance, as we say," he said.
She said the reception brought together French citizens, Ghanaians who love France, families, teachers, students, artists and entrepreneurs to celebrate the vibrant Franco-Ghanaian relationship.
She acknowledged the contribution of French companies in Ghana to economic development through investments, job creation, infrastructure and trade, as well as foreign trade advisors, the AFD Group, Business France, BPI France, the economic department and the France-Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Ms Dimé-Labille thanked all who promote France’s image in Ghana, including the Jacques Prévert French International School, the network of Alliances Françaises, research institutes CIRAD and IRD and the Embassy.
"There are evenings that foster a sense of community and this evening is one of them, just as it was during the celebration of our national day, when we saw our community come together to celebrate with joy. Our numerous Ghanaian guests were able to discover a France that is generous, festive, diverse and open.
"These shared moments are the result of collective effort and constant engagement and they remind us that the French presence in Ghana is a vibrant and tangible reality, embodied in faces, voices and friendships," she added.
