Three outgoing envoys from France, Malta and Angola on Thursday paid a farewell courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House, after completing their tours of duty in Ghana.
They are H.E. João Domingos Baptista Quiosa of Angola, H.E. Jean Claude Galea Mallia of Malta, and H.E. Jules Armand Aniambossou of France.
Strengthening Ghana–Angola Relations
Ambassador João Domingos Baptista Quiosa, who served in Ghana for four years, traced relations between the two countries back to 1959 when Dr. Kwame Nkrumah supported Angola’s independence struggle through the liberation movement network.
He expressed gratitude to Ghana for its continued support, noting that Angola has made strides in large-scale cocoa farming while many Angolan students are pursuing studies in Ghana.
President Mahama, in his remarks, called for stronger collaboration between Accra and Luanda.
“We must share experiences for our mutual benefit, particularly in the oil and gas industry and renewable energy,” he stated.
Malta Eyes Greater Business Ties
Malta’s outgoing Ambassador, Jean Claude Galea Mallia, who has served in Ghana for over seven years, pledged his country’s commitment to promoting business partnerships and boosting export trade.
President Mahama assured him of Ghana’s ongoing reforms to position the country as a business hub in the sub-region, leveraging its role as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.
“Ghana alone cannot leverage all the investment opportunities. We are ready to partner with others to tap into the huge potentials that abound,” President Mahama said.
France Expands Investment Footprint
H.E. Jules Armand Aniambossou of France reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening ties with Ghana, highlighting that France is open to business and expanding its footprint across Africa.
He revealed that over 60 French companies are looking for business-friendly policies in Ghana, while disclosing France’s investments of more than €2 million in building capacity for entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry and €90 million in the “Feed Ghana” initiative in the north.
President Mahama welcomed France’s growing role and underscored the need for deeper collaboration in aviation.
He said Ghana is eager to tap into French expertise to strengthen the Ghana Air Force in training and safety, especially in light of the tragic helicopter crash that claimed eight lives.
The President thanked the three envoys for their dedicated service and wished them success in their future assignments, adding that they remain “true friends of Ghana.”
