The Second Session of the Ghana-Malta Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) was held at the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration on Tuesday, 5th June, 2018 to propel some earlier agreements reached between the two countries and to explore new areas of cooperation.
In his opening remarks the Supervising Director, Political, Economic, Legal and Consular/Diaspora Affairs of the Ministry, Ambassador Morgan Brown, recounted the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ghana and Malta, dating back to 27th February, 1974. He added that, Ghana was the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to open a Diplomatic Mission in Malta in August, 2014, following which assent has been given at the highest level to open a Maltese Diplomatic Mission in Ghana, which would in turn be the first in sub-Saharan Africa.
The bond of friendship between the two countries, according to Ambassador Brown, has culminated into enhanced cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries. The recent high level visit of the President of Malta, H.E. Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, to Ghana (from 25th – 28th July, 2017), accompanied by a strong business delegation representing various sectors, the Ambassador intimated, is an indication of the strong relations between the two countries. He added that the visit gave impetus to trade and business engagements between the two countries by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Political Consultations and two commercial Memoranda of Understanding between Ghana and Malta.
Ambassador Brown further disclosed that the Second Ghana-Malta PJCC was to essentially engage key experts to develop seven (7) thematic areas of interest, to further consolidate the bilateral relations already existing between the two countries. The areas are Bilateral Investments, Tourism and Culture, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Education, Aviation, Migration and Police Cooperation and Health. He urged both parties to put in their best during deliberations in order to achieve the desired outcomes.
For his part, the Head of the Maltese Delegation and Director for External Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade promotions of Malta, Mr. Claude Bonello, reaffirmed the exponential growth in the relationship between Ghana and Malta, adding that the Presidential visit was an indication of his country’s commitment to further enhance relations with Ghana. Mr. Bonello also stated that Malta’s presence in Ghana was in fulfilment of the country’s mandate to further explore cooperation in key sectors of the economy.