Government would continue to work to create a conductive environment and a favourable business climate in line with one of its foreign policy objectives of ensuring economic diplomacy.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, (MP) made this known when she met with Regional Deans of the Diplomatic Corps and the Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, in her opening remarks indicated that the purpose of the meeting was to assess how they had cooperated and worked together in the course of the year, exchange views on possible areas of further cooperation in 2019 and also strengthen relations with their respective countries.
She stated that, the year “witnessed a more robust engagement by the Foreign Ministry at both the bilateral and multilateral levels to help realize the Government’s vision of economic development and prosperity for all Ghanaians.”
The Minister said in pursuit of the foreign policy objective of ensuring economic diplomacy, the Ministry had supported national efforts which diversified and increased Ghana’s export base, drew in foreign investments, promoted tourism and hospitality among others. She added that “the re-establishment of the Economic, Trade and Investment Bureau in the Ministry had been instrumental in this pursuit”.
She also informed that Ghana was among seven countries which had so far deposited their instruments of ratification for the African Continental Free Trade Area, which was expected to create a single continental market for goods and services, expand intra-African trade and enhance competitiveness at the industry and enterprise levels.
Hon. Botchwey indicated that there had been high–level visits between Ghana and other countries, and that had deepened relations between Ghana and the respective countries. She said the visits provided the platform for discussions on various subjects, ranging from economic cooperation, trade and investment, migration and security.
She reiterated Ghana’s commitment to ensuring a more integrated ECOWAS and expressed her gratitude to the Diplomatic Community in Ghana for their tireless commitment to strengthening relations with Ghana.
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, His Excellency Mr. Bernard Ehui-Koutoua thanked the Ministry for organizing the interactive session with the Diplomatic Corps and hoped that such interaction would be organised more frequently to enhance the exchange of views.