By Iddi Yire
Accra, Nov. 12, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday received letters of accreditation from Mr Shehu Ilu Barde, High Commissioner of Nigeria and 10 other new ambassadors accredited to Ghana by their respective countries.
They were Madam Linda Vuyolwethu Shongwe, High Commissioner of South Africa; and Mr Surinder Bhagat, High Commissioner of India.
Others are Mr Fouad Khazzaka, Ambassador of Lebanon; Madam Keara Shaw, High Commissioner of Australia, Dr Thomas Oertle, Ambassador of Switzerland, and Mr Johan (Hans) Theodoor Marius Akerboom, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The rest were Madam Sanna Selin, Ambassador of Finland; Mr Martin Podstavek, Ambassador of Slovak Republic; Madam Anna Westerholm, Ambassador of Sweden, and Mr Thirapath Mongkolnavin, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand.
President Mahama congratulated the new envoys on their assumption of duty tour in Ghana and assured them of Government’s support in the discharge of their duties.
He noted that their presence at the seat of the Presidency was a reminder that despite differences in their geography, history, culture and the level of socio-economic development, Ghana and their nations remained connected by shared aspirations and the desire to pursue friendly relations.
“As a peace-loving member of the United Nations, Ghana is committed to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the Organisation and its objectives for international peace, prosperity and the dignity of all people, and a commitment to a more just and equitable international order,” the President said.
He encouraged their full and active engagement to identify and develop new areas of meaningful cooperation that would positively affect the lives of our two people.
To the Nigerian High Commissioner, President Mahama said, he had confidence that their wealth of diplomatic experience would contribute to the further strengthening of the long-standing relations between Ghana and Nigeria.
He also acknowledged the deep historical, cultural, political, and economic ties that bind their two countries together.
The President said Ghana remained committed to preserving and strengthening these strong ties between their countries.
“I wish to underscore the importance of the Ghana-Nigeria Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation, which was established as far back as 1988, and propose that the next session be held in the first quarter of 2028,” the President said.
He noted that he had instructed Ghana’s High Commissioner in Abuja to engage with the Nigerian Foreign Ministry officials to facilitate this meeting.
He emphasised the importance of enhanced trade and investment between our two countries within ECOWAS and also the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“I wish to assure you, High Commissioner, that the matter concerning your property at 19/21 Julius Nyerere Street at Northridge Accra is receiving the necessary attention through the appropriate authorities of both our countries to lead to an amicable resolution,” President Mahama said.
”You can count on the support of my government for a successful tenure, and we wish Nigeria all the best in the coming presidential elections.”
To the Lebanese Ambassador, President Mahama said, he acknowledges the valuable contribution of the Lebanese community in Ghana to Ghana’s socio-economic development, particularly in the areas of manufacturing, commerce, real estate, education, health, and the hospitality sector.
He encouraged the Ambassador to work closely with Ghana’s business community to expand trade and investment, particularly in agro-processing, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, renewable energy, information technology, and tourism.
The President welcomed the Trilateral Peace Framework brokered by the United States and signed by Lebanon, and Israel on 26 June 2026.
“I’m optimistic that the agreement will lead to a permanent end to hostilities and the restoration of Lebanon’s sovereignty.”
President Mahama told the new envoys as he assumed the chairmanship of the African Union Assemblies of Heads of State in 2027, he would count on their government’s cooperation to advance the priorities of the African Union and sustain the momentum on the reparatory justice agenda; saying, “diplomacy is ultimately about building bridges between people.”
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei