By James Amoh Junior, GNA
Accra, June 28, GNA – Switzerland has marked its 735th National Day with a reception in Accra that reaffirmed the longstanding relations between Ghana and Switzerland.
The ceremony also honoured its outgoing Ambassador, Ms Simone Giger, for her remarkable contribution to strengthening bilateral relations during her four-year dutytour of Ghana.
Attended by members of the diplomatic corps, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, the Swiss community in Ghana, business executives, development partners, media practitioners and celebrities, the reception underscored the longstanding partnership between Ghana and Switzerland built on mutual respect, democracy, sustainable development and economic cooperation.
The occasion also served as a farewell reception for Ambassador Giger, who was presented with citations in recognition of her outstanding diplomatic service and commitment to advancing Ghana-Switzerland relations across governance, trade and investment, peace and security, climate action, decentralisation and sustainable development.
Ghana and Switzerland have maintained cordial diplomatic relations for decades, with cooperation spanning trade and investment, climate action, peacebuilding, governance, education, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.
Switzerland remains one of Ghana’s longstanding development partners, supporting initiatives aimed at promoting inclusive economic growth, strengthening local governance, protecting the environment and enhancing regional peace and security.
In her farewell address, Ambassador Giger reflected on her four-year stay in Ghana, describing it as one of the most rewarding experiences of her diplomatic career.
She recounted travelling extensively across the country, from Paga in the Upper East Region to Keta in the Volta Region, Damongo in the Savannah Region and several other communities, saying the journeys had deepened her appreciation of Ghana’s diversity, culture and hospitality.
“Ghana is a country that surprises you again and again,” she said, praising the country’s rich traditions, festivals, languages, music, creative arts and the resilience of its people.
The Ambassador, however, expressed concern about challenges confronting the country, particularly illegal mining, environmental degradation, governance and institutional weaknesses.
She said the destruction of rivers and forests through illegal mining threatened future generations and called for collective efforts to safeguard Ghana’s natural resources.
“Ghana’s greatest resource is not gold; it is its young people,” she said, urging stakeholders to create opportunities that would enable the country’s youth to realise their full potential.
Despite the challenges, Ambassador Giger said she remained optimistic about Ghana’s future, citing the country’s peaceful nature, resilience, optimism and strong sense of community.
Quoting the Akan proverb, “Anoma antua a, ɔbua da” (The bird that does not fly does not eat), she encouraged Ghanaians to transform their enormous potential into meaningful progress through hard work and action.
She also cited another Akan proverb, “Dua koro gye mframa a ebu” (A single tree standing alone is broken by the wind), to underscore the importance of partnerships and collaboration in addressing national and global challenges.
Ambassador Giger said Switzerland would continue to work closely with Ghana in areas including democracy and governance, trade and investment, peace and security, climate adaptation, international development and cultural exchange.
“Our cooperation may not always be the loudest, but we try to be a reliable partner, working quietly, consistently and with respect,” she said.
Expressing gratitude to Ghanaians for their warmth and hospitality throughout her stay, the Ambassador said she would leave Ghana with cherished memories of a country that had broadened her perspective and touched her heart.
“I leave with something even more valuable; memories of a country that welcomed me with warmth, challenged my assumptions, expanded my horizons and made me laugh. Thank you, Ghana, for four unforgettable years,” she said.
Mr Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, representing the Government of Ghana, congratulated the Government and people of Switzerland on their National Day and commended Ambassador Giger for her exemplary service and dedication to promoting the longstanding friendship between the two nations.
He described Switzerland as one of Ghana’s trusted development partners and said the two countries continued to enjoy excellent bilateral relations anchored on shared democratic values, respect for human rights, peace, multilateralism and sustainable economic growth.
“Your tenure has been marked by dynamism, openness and a clear commitment to advancing cooperation between our two countries,” the Minister said.
“You leave behind a legacy of partnership, which we are confident will continue in the years ahead.”
Mr George said Ghana highly appreciated Switzerland’s support towards national development through investments in renewable energy, decentralisation, climate resilience, peacebuilding and sustainable cocoa production.
He noted that more than 55 Swiss companies currently operated in Ghana in sectors including agribusiness, manufacturing and logistics, providing employment for more than 8,500 people.
The Minister said collaboration between the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa continued to enhance research into cocoa diseases while promoting sustainable farming practices.
He also highlighted the Ghana-Switzerland Cooperation Agreement under Article Six of the Paris Agreement on climate change, under which Ghana in July 2025 transferred nearly 11,700 metric tonnes of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) to Switzerland, with Switzerland providing CHF65 million to support implementation of the cooperation programme.
Mr George also acknowledged Switzerland’s support for Ghana’s decentralisation agenda through the Ghana-Switzerland Economic Cooperation Programme (2025-2028), renewable energy initiatives, including mini-grid projects in the Volta and Ada areas, and assistance to the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries.
GNA
Edited b George-Ramsey Benamba
Reporter: James Amoh Junior
Email: [email protected]