Israeli Envoy lauds President Akufo-Addo

The Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Mrs Shani Cooper, has commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his government for the manner in which they are handling the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

She said the leadership was doing great and had been straightforward, firm and decisive.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic in an interview in Accra, the Ambassador said handling the COVID-19 pandemic involved a lot of things, including human lives, the security of health workers, the environment, the economy and the future, saying all those needed tactfulness and a high level of experience to handle.

She said any decision taken could solve the problem, worsen it or make no impact at all, adding that put on the scale, the government had done well with the steps it had taken.

Mrs Cooper said the situation also had some emotional aspects, which could not be taken for granted, especially people not being able to touch their loved ones, grandmothers not being able to hug their grandchildren and families and friends not being able to visit one another.

In all these, she said, what every leader would do was ensure that the decisions taken would yield positive results, adding that the Ghana government had proved that it was in control.

PPEs

The Ambassador said Israel had supported the COVID-19 response programme in Ghana with 800 nose masks and 375 medical gowns.

“We are now moving away from immediate emergency aid to sustainable cooperation, and we are using available local materials and labour,” she said.

Ghana Beyond Aid

Mrs Cooper disclosed that Israel had supported the Ghana Beyond Aid policy.

In line with the bilateral relations between Israel and Ghana, she said, a knowledge sharing programme started, but it had to stop because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, she said, some of the projects were carried on and 70 Ghanaian students were currently in Israel for training in agriculture.

When they returned, she said, another batch of 70 students would travel to Israel for the same training.

She explained that the programme provided opportunities for students to gain knowledge and experience in innovations, as well as Diasporan affairs.

“We are currently working with start-ups,” she added.

National Day

The Ambassador noted that the usual celebrations that characterised the Israeli National Day could not come on last week because of the pandemic.

Israel’s Independence Day is celebrated annually to commemorate the establishment of the State of Israel on April 28, 1948.

Connection

Mrs Cooper commended Ghanaians for their hospitality and said the connection between the peoples of Israel and Ghana was very spiritual and something very deep.

She said when Israelis met Ghanaians, they felt very free and so much at home.