The French Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Frederic Clavier, has described Ghana as a pillar of stability and democracy on the African continent.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, Mr Clavier said Ghana’s democratic and economic credentials made it stand out from all the other African countries and had made it a vital partner for the French government.
“Ghana is clearly a priority for France because we consider the country as a pillar of development. stability and democracy that is playing a useful and positive role in [West Africa].” he said.
Mr. Clavier stated that during President Mahama’s tenure as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) the country’s leading role in the resolution of the crisis in neighbouring Burkina Faso was extremely impressive.
He added that France considered maintaining relations with Ghana a ‘priority’.
“Ghana is playing a very important international role. We have created between the two countries, a permanent mechanism of political dialogue on a yearly basis and we have decided many things including creating a possibility to stabilise the ECOWAS region,” he stated.
Ghana’s economy will ‘rebound’
Mr Clavier spoke of the French community’s optimism in Ghana’s ability to recover form what has been a tough few months economically.
The country’s currency – the cedi – has, until recently been in free fall making significant losses to other major currencies and the country’s energy problems have been well documented.
However the French Ambassador says he, and potential French investors in the country, believe the economy will recover in time
“The country has many capacities in terms of different sectors. You have cocoa, gas, oil, gold. You have a nice training system through the universities. I means that Ghana is training an elite. It gives the country many capacities for the development of the country.”
The French are saying that the times may be difficult but the rebound will be there. I don’t know when the rebound will come, but it will.”
Andre Ayew exit a big loss for French football
Mr. Clavier also gave his thoughts on Ghanaian, Andre Ayew’s transfer from French club Olympique Marseille to English Premier League club Swansea.
“Of course it is disappointing because Dede Ayew is one of the best players in the French Championship,” he opined
“After many years [at Marseille] he decided it was time for a change and to go to the English Premier League with Swansea but Marseille wouldn’t have been what it is now without Dede Ayew.”
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana