Accra, Nov. 28, - President Nana
Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday stressed the need for Africa and Europe to
forge closer, meaningful partnerships that would promote trade and investment
between both continents.
He said Ghana and the rest of
Africa were looking forward to a more candid, equal, improved, mutually
beneficial and not a one-sided, donor-recipient relation with Europe.
President Akufo-Addo made the
call when addressing a press conference after holding bilateral talks with the
visiting Italian Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, at the Flag Staff House in
Accra.
He said Africa sought clarity
with regards to its relations with Europe, particularly long-term strategies
for sustainable development and trade.
The President was optimistic that
the European Union and the African Union Summit scheduled for Cote d'Ivoire on
December 29, 2017, would redefine the relationship between the two continents.
"Looking at issues of common
concern, the development of our economy, the issue of migration, issues of
terrorism that confront both our commitments, it is my expectation and hope
that Ghana and Italy will play very constructive roles tomorrow in defining
this new understanding, this new relationship between Europe and Africa."
Commending Italy for its role in
Ghana's infrastructural development, dating back to the independence era,
President Akufo-Addo said Ghana had resolved to deepen its relations with
Italy, as well as explore areas of interest that would be mutually beneficial
to both countries.
He acknowledged the support Italy
had given Ghana over the years, saying that, though investments between the two
countries were modest, the Italian state owned petroleum company, ENI, has
changed that equation by making the biggest investment so far in Ghana.
The President said the ENI
investment was extremely important for Ghana's future, and was upbeat that the
move would not only develop the country's oil deposits but its gas resources as
well.
"The involvement of ENI in
our oil sector gives us the opportunity to become increasingly self-sufficient
in our energy generation. We are looking forward for greater intercourse with
ENI that would allow us to go into other areas of the energy portfolio."
On his part, Mr Gentiloni said he
was hopeful that the over 60 years of diplomatic relations between Ghana and
Italy would be deepened by his visit.
He praised Ghana's stability and
democratic credentials, which he said, was an example that other African states
should emulate.
The Prime Minster said the EU-AU
summit would mark the beginning of a new direction for trade and economic
cooperation between countries constituting the European Union and the African
Union.
He announced a 25 Million Euro
grant to the government of Ghana that is targeted at Small and Medium Scale
Enterprises (SMEs) to support the acquisition of machinery to help boost
production.
GNA
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