Minister-Designate for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, is wooing investors from Russia to investment heavily in Ghana.
According to her, since there had been low levels of investment between Russia and Ghana it is crucial for more Russian investments in Ghana especially in the field of energy and the petrochemical industry following the entry into the Ghanaian market of LUKOIL and ROSNEFT.
Madam Ayorkor Botchwey made the call when she held a bilateral meeting with Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs in Russia and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov in Accra.
Mr. Bogdanov led a delegation comprising officials of Russian Foreign Ministry and private business people to Ghana to explore business opportunities in the mining and related sectors in Ghana.
The Minister Designate for Foreign Affairs assured Ghana’s commitment towards negotiating with Russia, for the Agreement on Investment Promotion and Protection as well as the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation to guarantee Russian investors the security of their investments.
According to her, as a means of enhancing bilateral relations, Ghana was earnestly preparing to host the Fourth Session of the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation this year, stating that Ghana has received the suggestions from Russia regarding the April meeting to discuss the outcome of the 3rd Session and the holding of the 4th Session in October 2021.
She acknowledged the immense contribution that Russia has made and continues to make towards the socio-economic development of Ghana and indicate that Russia’s award of scholarships to many Ghanaian students over the years to study in Russia have produced essential human resource capacity to facilitate development of the country.
However, she expressed concern that in recent years the Scholarship Secretariat of Ghana and the Russian Mission have had some differences in the award of scholarships and call for a speedy resolution of the difficulties.
Meanwhile, Madam Ayorkor Botchwey has requested Russia to increase the number of scholarships provided yearly to about one hundred (100) to consolidate the friendship between the two countries, moving on to mention the potential for cooperation between Russian diplomatic training institutions and the Ministry’s Foreign Service Institute, which is nearing completion.
Source: Henry George Martinson@radiogoldlive.com
