By Iddi Yire
Accra, March 14, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has lauded the decision of the Iranian Government to expand the Islamic University in Accra to include a Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery.
He said since the establishment of the University, it had offered training to many young Ghanaian people, irrespective of their religion, whether they were Muslims or Christians.
“And that is a very good symbol of the partnership between Ghana and Iran,” President Mahama stated during a credential ceremony at the seat of Government in Accra to accept the credentials of Mr Ali Ghomshi, Ambassador of Iran to Ghana.
The Islamic University College, Ghana (IUCG) was established in September 2000 by Ahlul-Bait Foundation, a semi–Non-Governmental Agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which provided health care services to many in Accra and its environs.
President Mahama reiterated that the relations between Ghana and Iran were historical, right from the days of the Non-Aligned Movement; stating that Ghana and Iran had shared the same position on many international issues.
“We stand for the self-determination of people and the liberation from oppression.
And we are confident that during your tenure we will continue to build those relationships even more,” President Mahama told Mr Ghomshi.
The President extended an opened invitation to Iranian investors to come and invest in Ghana.
“We are happy to invite more investors and business people to come and invest in Ghana,” the President said.
“We have received several Iranian businessmen, who have come to explore investment opportunities in Ghana. And during your tenure, we will be happy to receive many more such investors.”
Touching on the issue of Palestine and Gaza, the President said Ghana shares the position that the killings must stop and that they should have a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue.
On his part, Mr Ali Ghomshi, Ambassador of Iran to Ghana, extended Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s warm greetings and congratulatory message to President Mahama on his victory in Ghana’s December 7, 2024, general election.
He recalled that during President Mahama’s first term, there were exchange visits at the Presidential level between their two countries.
He called for the strengthening of the relations between their two nations at the political, economic, parliamentary, and cultural areas.
He said trade between the nations must be strengthen and deepened for their mutual benefits and hinted that they were planning to host the Eight Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation Meeting in Ghana.
He extended an invitation to Ghana to participate in the Iran-Africa Conference, which would be held in April in Iran and thereafter, the Iran Expo 2025 would be held in Iran too.
GNA
LAA