Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has expressed Ghana’s commitment to consolidating existing friendly ties and expanding the scope of economic and technical cooperation between Ghana and Libya.
According to Madam Ayorkor Botchwey, cordial relations between Ghana and Libya, dates back to the 1980s and was nurtured into mutual cooperation through the African Union and CEN-SAD on issues of common interest to the two countries and through the Ghana-Libyan Holding Company (GHALCO), operators of the Golden Tulip chain of Hotels in Ghana.
Speaking at the presentation of Letter of Appointment by the newly appointed Chargé d’ affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Libya to Ghana, Mohamed M. O. Melad, Madam Ayorkor Botchwey also observed that the re-opening of Ghana’s Embassy in Libya in March 2020 was a further testament of Ghana’s commitment to the strengthening of the existing bonds of friendship as well as an opportunity to expand the two countries commercial interests by exploiting market potentials on both sides, and providing visa and allied consular services.
She also made reference to the fact that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Libyan uprising and commended the Government of Libya for its prudent measures to address the problem of instability in the country.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister also expressed the hope that the new Transitional Government will uphold its declared commitment to the organization of general elections for a peaceful and orderly transfer of power by the end of 2021.
However, she noted with concern, the complexity of the security situation in the Maghreb region and expressed the hope that the new government will put in much efforts to carry out a comprehensive disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of all combatants in line with the objectives of the security sector reforms and for national security.
She therefore seized the opportunity to assure Mr. Mohamed M.O. Melad of Ghana’s preparedness and willingness to support Libya and the international community’s efforts to restore peace and order, and emphasized that Ghana cherishes its fraternal relations with Libya and will always, steadfastly, assist in the return of the country to its former glorious state in the spirit of Pan-Africanism.
Madam Ayorkor Botchwey expressed Ghana’s desire to tap into Libya’s rich experiences in oil and gas industry by adopting its best practices to protect water bodies and the environment in the country.
Source: Henry George Martinson@henry-george-martinson
