President Mahama receives credentials from 5 envoys

President John Mahama yesterday received the credentials of five new ambassadors to Ghana at the Jubilee House in Accra.

They are Vietnam — Bui Quoc Hung; Greece - Athanasios V. Kotsionis; Jamaica High Commissioner — Lincoln George Downer; Tunisia — Antit Mohsen, and Burundi — Edouard Nduwimana.

President Mahama urged all the envoys to explore new areas of cooperation during their tenure, particularly in trade, education and cultural exchange.

The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, including the Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, and the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah.   

Vietnam

President Mahama told the Vietnamese envoy that he had been following the country’s economic development trajectory, and that “Vietnam is rapidly transforming its economy and we're trying to do the same here”.

President Mahama proposing a toast with Bui Quoc Hung, Ambassador of the Republic of Vietnam

"You are coming at a time when we have introduced a 24-hour Economy policy and are also implementing a reset agenda for accelerated development of our country," he added.  

In response, Ambassador Hung said this year marked the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties between Ghana and Vietnam.

“We share many similarities in history. We are ready to cooperate on agriculture so Ghana can better tackle food insecurity,” he said. 

Mr Hung extended an invitation to President Mahama to visit Vietnam.  

Greece

During discussions with the Ambassador of Greece, President Mahama said both countries had gone through similar experiences with debt sustainability.

Athanasios V. Kotsionis, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic of Greece, presenting his credentials to  President Mahama 

“We have successfully restructured our debt and are resetting our economy,” he said.

For his part, Ambassador Kotsionis highlighted ongoing Greek investments in Ghana's bauxite sector and proposed stronger cooperation in energy and education.  

Jamaica

Discussions between the President and Mr Downer focused on deepening cultural and economic ties.

"Our two countries are joined by blood and history," President Mahama said, referencing Ghana's “Right of Abode” policy that had benefited many Jamaicans.

In response, Ambassador Downer said that "Jamaica is keen on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in trade and investment with Ghana”.

“We have the largest logistics hub in the Caribbean, which offers opportunities for Ghanaian investors," the envoy said. 

Tunisia

Mr Mohsen emphasised the need to revive the Ghana-Tunisia Joint Commission.

President John Mahama posing for the cameras with Antit Mohsen, Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia, after receiving his credentials

"We should open a new page in our relations to enhance cooperation to the highest levels," the envoy added.

President Mahama acknowledged Tunisia's post-Arab Spring progress and said: "You set an example that the government must serve the people's interest — something we are also pursuing through our reset agenda."  

Burundi

The President expressed satisfaction over the cordial relations between Ghana and Burundi and urged the ambassador to work towards strengthening that cooperation.

President John Mahama with Edouard Nduwimana, Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi

“We know that Burundi has come out of a time of turbulence, and we are following the progress.

I think Burundi has done well in building back the tenets of democracy and management of the country’s resources for the people,” he added.

For his part, the ambassador pledged to work hard to further improve the cooperation between the two countries.

“Burundi is a peaceful country, and our democracy is growing stronger,” he said.