By Iddi Yire
Accra, Dec 03, GNA – Mr. Tamás Fehés, the Ambassador of Hungary to Ghana, has lauded the existing cordial relations between Hungary and Ghana.
The Ambassador also reaffirmed the importance of further solidifying the strong Hungary-Ghana bilateral relations in all areas.
Mr. Fehés said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of the launch of Ghana’s chip-embedded passport in Accra.
The chip-embedded passport was launched on Monday by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph One of the Passports and Travel Certificates Act 1967 (NLCD 155), the Foreign Ministry started the chip-embedded passport project in 2016.
Through a build, operate, and transfer (BOT) arrangement, the Ministry partnered with Biometric Travel Solutions Limited, a private Ghanaian firm, to undertake the project.
The project aims at bringing Ghanaian passports into strict compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s regulations and the quickly evolving global interoperability stan
The partnership between Ghana’s Foreign Ministry and Biometric Travel Solutions, also has other stakeholders from Hungary.
Touching on chip-embedded passport, Mr. Fehés said: “I’m very happy that Hungary could be part of this success story for Ghana. This is going to be a very practical tool for Ghanaian citizens to travel abroad in the future.
“The passport contains Hungarian state-of-the-art technology.”
“It’s been a long process of almost eight years, but finally today we came to the end of this long journey. And the citizens of Ghana can hold in their hands something that was made actually in Hungary. So, I’m very pleased and happy to be here today for this seminar.”
On the relation between Hungary and Ghana, Mr. Fehés said it had been developing very smoothly ever since Hungary reopened its Embassy in 2016 here in Accra.
“I’m the second batch of the new generation of ambassadors. We have many cooperations, we have strong political ties, high-level visits in both directions,” he stated.
The Ambassador said as part of strengthening the bilateral relations between the two nations, President János Áder of Hungary was here in Accra in January 2022; adding that, Mr. Peter Szijarto, the Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister of Hungary also visited Ghana in 2023.
He said they also had delegations from Ghana visiting Budapest.
“So, it’s a very strong and lively relationship between our two countries. Hungarian companies have also built water and sanitation projects in Ghana – mostly in Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale,” the Ambassador said.
He said Hungary was not only active in security printing but also in water and sanitation.
He said Hungary was also assisting Ghana with the construction of hospitals in the northern part of Ghana; stating that near Bolgatanga, Hungary had also built two outpatients department (OPD) hospitals in the past three years.
He said Hungary was also building an eye hospital in Tamale, and that they had refurbished schools in Koforidua and Don Bosco School in Tema.
Mr. Fehés said the collaboration between Hungary and Ghana was encompassing many areas.
Concerning Ghana’s December 7 general election, the Ambassador wished Ghanaians a peaceful and dignified elections coming up next weekend.
GNA