President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is skeptical about the future prosperity of West African countries that produce and export raw materials.
According to him in order to ensure progress and prosperity of such countries, “we must add value to these resources, we must industrialise and we must enhance agricultural productivity.”
Akufo-Addo made the remark on Thursday at a State Dinner held in his honour by the President of Guinea, Prof. Alpha Conde during a three-day tour of that country.
President Akufo-Addo told President Conde that he was there to build on the existing relations between the two countries, as well as explore, further, other areas of co-operation for the mutual benefit of the both Ghana and Guinea.
“Co-operation in the development of our agriculture, education, science and technology, infrastructure, health, energy and culture, and the co-ordination of the exploitation of our mutual natural resources, such as bauxite, iron ore, gold and petroleum, would be of immense benefit to our two countries,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo also proposed that the two countries hold the next session of the Permanent Joint Commission on Co-operation (PJCC) in Accra before the end of the year, adding that “we must intensify the links between Ghanaian and Guinean enterprises, and, thereby, also hasten the process of regional integration.”
President Akufo-Addo commended President Conde for the ongoing efforts he is making to entrench democracy and the rule of law in the body politic of Guinea, as well to maintain the country’s unity and integrity devoid of narrow partisan, ethnic considerations.
“It is a historic task, but one in which your life-long struggle and sacrifices for Guinean democracy have prepared you adequately to undertake. We wish you well and Godspeed,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo was also thankful for the presence of his Guinean counterpart at his inauguration on 7th January, 2017, and also for the presence of the Guinean Prime Minister, M. Mamady Youla, at Ghana’s 60th independence anniversary celebrations, on 6th March, 2017.
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By: Sammi Wiafe/citifmonline.com/Ghana