Trinidad to help Ghana in energy, oil and gas - Prime Minster

Trinidad and Tobago has pledged its readiness to partner Ghana in the oil and gas sector.

The Prime Minister of the Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Christopher Rowley who made this known during the 63rd independence anniversary of Ghana in Kumasi on Friday also said his country was prepared to support Ghana in its energy and agricultural sectors.

The 63rd independence anniversary was held on the theme: "Consolidating our gains."

Thousands of guests filled the over 40,000 capacity Baba YARA Sports Stadium, where the national commemoration of the event took place.

The stadium got full to the extent that the security agencies resorted to radio and television announcements to appeal to people to stop coming to the stadium and rather stay home and watch on TV since the stadium was full.

The event brought together people from all walks of life, including politicians, traditional and religious leaders, diplomats, security personnel, students, traders and tourists.

Security officers from the Ghana Armed Forces engaged in various drills to entertain patrons at the stadium while students and other groupings marched past the enthusiastic guests.

Some of the students took turns to display some Ghanaian cultural performances, including talking drum with poetry recitation.

Cocoa

Dr Rowley said both Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago produced cocoa, and that a cooperation in that regard would only help the two countries to grow the sector.

He said the two countries were also parties to the international cocoa agreement from 2011, adding that exchanges in expertise and technologies sharing, training, and processing of cocoa among others were all subjects of interests to the two countries.

He said with respect to energy, “Trinidad and Tobago has been involved in petroleum sector for almost 100 years”.

He said the country had expertise and technical know-how in the oil and gas sectors, explaining that with the country’s level of experience in the oil and gas areas, it intended to support countries in West, Central and Southern Africa in developing their energy sectors.

He said currently there had been discussions between the Takoradi Technical University and the University of Trinidad and Tobago in developing human resources and technical capabilities for Ghana’s oil and gas industry.

He pointed out that “Trinidad and Tobago is ready and willing to assist” in the development of the country’s technical capabilities in the oil and gas sectors.

Trailblazer

In his address, President Akufo-Addo paid a glowing tribute to the forebears of the country, praising them for their determination to wean the country from colonial rule.

“This is a day that should be celebrated by all around the country by all Ghanaians and friends of Ghana wherever they are,” he said.

He described the country as a trailblazer for the fight against colonialism in Africa, with its actions inspiring many other African nations to seek their own independence.

"There are several reasons to rejoice and be thankful unto almighty God," he said.

President Akufo-Addo also said the country was doing its best in the wake of the spreading of the deadly coronavirus globally.

He said the country had intensified its checks at the various entry points, particularly at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

He added that isolation and treatment centres as well as quarantine centres had been put in place to deal with any suspected case.

Similarly, the President said about 5,000 protective gears had been procured for some selected health facilities in preparedness for the deadly virus.

He, however, charged everyone to adhere to good health practices in order for them to protect themselves against the disease.