She made her second stop at the Osu castle, where she met with members of the national and regional house of chiefs, and also witnessed a book launch by celebrated archaeologist, Professor Henry Wellington.

The Osu Castle was noted as the base for Danish power in West Africa, and the centre for slave trade to the Danish West Indies.

The book, titled “Stones tell stories at Osu: Memories of a host community of the Danish” contains found memories of the Danish in the Gold Coast.

He presented the first copy of the book to the queen to show appreciation.

Speaking at the book launch, Ghana’s Minister for Tourism Culture and Creative Arts, Catherine Afeku, said the visit by the queen is a reaffirmation of the close bond between the two countries.

She added that, Ghana will explore available business opportunities during the queen’s visit.

The queen’s last stop was at the Arts and Design Centre where she met award-winning sculptor, Constance Elizabeth Swaniker.

The Queen’s three-day visit to Ghana marks her first visit to West Africa since she became queen of Denmark in 1972.

She was accompanied by 39 Danish investors.

Ghana and Denmark relations

Ghana and Denmark have enjoyed strong diplomatic and commercial ties over the years, and this visit by the Queen, who will be joined by representatives of Danish companies and business organizations, is further aimed at strengthening same.

With Ghana’s graduation to a middle-income country and the prospects of sustainable economic growth, Denmark is gradually transitioning from development aid to trade cooperation, in line with the vision of the Government of Ghana.

The visit will include seminars and meetings under the theme “Ghana – an Emerging Market within Reach” which will focus on food and agriculture, sustainability, maritime, railways and other infrastructure.

The visit is to pave the way for Danish eco-technology and Danish food products on the growing West African market.

The Danish Minister for Environment and Food has high expectations to the trade mission, saying “Ghana is currently demanding some of the food products and technological solutions within which Denmark holds a strong position. However, even though Denmark has strong solutions, the potential for Danish exports to Ghana is far from realized. Therefore, it is important that we promote Danish businesses, so they are first in line when Ghana invests in food products or in water and eco-technology,” said the Minister for Environment and Food, Esben Lunde Larsen.

Facts about Ghana and Danish exports:

•Ghana has 28 million inhabitants.

•Ghana was Denmark’s 84th largest export market in 2016, corresponding to DKK 272.7 million (around EUR 37 million) or 0.04% of total Danish exports.

•In the first seven months of 2017, Danish exports to Ghana rose to almost DKK 1 billion (EUR 134 million).

•The Danish International Development Assistance (Danida) has been active in Ghana since 1989, but the Danish development aid will now be phased out and cease entirely in 2020, as Ghana became a middle income country in 2011.

Brief history about Denmark’s role in slave trade

Denmark’s involvement in the then-Gold Coast begun on April 20, 1663, when it seized the Christiansborg Fort (Osu Castle) and Carlsborg Fort (Cape Castle), as it completed the annexation of Swedish Gold Coast settlements.

A number of trading stations and forts were built by the Danes during their time in Ghana, several of which are in ruins today.

The Osu Castle was noted as the base for Danish power in West Africa, and the centre for slave trade to the Danish West Indies.

In 1807, Denmark’s African business partners were overcome by the Akan resistance which led to the abandonment of all trading stations.

Denmark’s involvement in the then-Gold Coast ended following the Norwegian Declaration of Independence in 1814.

Denmark’s five Danish Gold Coast Territorial Settlements and forts of the Kingdom of Denmark were sold to the United Kingdom and were incorporated into the British Gold Coast in 1850.

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By: Anass S. Seidu/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Danish Queen Margrethe II, visits Osu Mantse, Osu castle [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to a statement from the Danish Embassy, the visit follows an invitation from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to the country’s Head of State.

[contextly_sidebar id=”BmBbERMbPB0Kzxwc6wQ3HE25JdJ10NZd”]The statement added that “the state visit will emphasize and consolidate the long-standing and well-established relationship between Ghana and Denmark, while at the same time marking the gradual transition from aid to trade.”

Ghana and Denmark have enjoyed strong commercial ties over the years, and this visit by the Queen, who will be joined by representatives of Danish companies and business organisations, is expected to strengthen those bonds.

“During many years, Denmark through the Danida Development Cooperation has played an important role in developing key sectors and institutions in Ghana.

With Ghana’s graduation to a middle-income country and the prospects of sustainable economic growth, Denmark is gradually transitioning from development cooperation to trade cooperation in line with the visions by the Government of Ghana,” the Embassy said.

The visit will also include seminars and meetings under the theme “Ghana – an Emerging Market within Reach” which will focus on food and agriculture, sustainability, and maritime, infrastructure and railways.

The Danish Queen is expected to attend the opening of the conference and pay visits to several local business and cultural institutions.

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Danish Queen set for two-day visit to Ghana in November appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.