Ghana and the Kingdom of Norway have pledged to deepen the ties of co-operation between them.
The leaders of the two countries, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Prime Minister of Norway, Minister Erna Solberg, made the commitment at a joint press conference after holding bilateral talks.
President Akufo-Addo, who is on an official visit to Norway, explained that the purpose of the visit was to reinforce the strong ties of friendship and co-operation that existed between the two countries.
He commended the Norwegian government for the considerable support it had offered Ghana through interventions such as the Oil for Development programme.
He said the programme, which had been running successfully for more than a decade, had enhanced Ghana’s capacity to manage its petroleum resources.
He said another initiative, Fish for Development, signed by the two countries in May 2019, had also had a positive impact on the management of Ghana’s marine resources in the creation of wealth and jobs, particularly in fishing communities, in line with the realisation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14).
Conducive atmosphere
President Akufo-Addo said he was encouraged by the fact that more Norwegian companies were investing in Ghana, as symbolised by the presence of the oil and gas giant, Aker Energy.
“I wish to assure the more than 50 Norwegian companies operating in our country that my government will continue to maintain a conducive investment atmosphere that will not only guarantee the safety of their investments but ensure good returns on investments as well,” he said.
The President was particularly delighted with Norway’s new partner country initiative aimed at ensuring that partner countries became independent of aid in the long term, adding that “it fits in perfectly with my government’s vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid”.
He further described the economic environment in Ghana as conducive for businesses to thrive and, therefore, urged more Norwegian companies to invest in Ghana, while urging Ghanaian companies to also invest in Norway.
Commendation
Minister Solberg commended President Akufo-Addo for the work he had undertaken so far as co-Chair of the Eminent Advocates of the 2030 SDGs.
She described Ghana as “one of our closest partners in Africa” and indicated that Norway was determined to deepen its bilateral relations with Ghana to help improve the living standards of their respective populations.
Earlier in the day, President Akufo-Addo had paid a courtesy call on Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen, the President of the Storting, the Supreme Legislature of Norway.
The Crown Prince of Norway, Haakon, who has assumed the role of Regent, also hosted the President to an official lunch at the Royal Palace.
