This was made known on Tuesday, 28th November, 2017, when the Italian Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as part of a day’s working visit to Ghana.

Addressing a joint press conference at the Presidency, President Akufo-Addo noted that, relations between Ghana and Italy dates several years, recalling the involvement of Italian companies in the construction of the Akosombo dam, Kpone dam, and the Tema Oil Refinery.

President Akufo-Addo noted that, subsequent visits to Italy by former Presidents J.A. Kufuor and John Mahama, “really broke the barriers of allowing us to even establish even stronger links.”

The President noted that, the arrival of Paolo Gentiloni “is within the context of this strong relationship that is between our two countries.”

Touching on the many areas of Ghana’s national life where Italian involvement has been important, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the support given to the Kofi Annan Peace Keeping Training Centre by the Italian government.

“The training and investment between our countries is modest, but it is important, and the biggest investment in our nation for over a decade is that which has been made by the Italian state owned petroleum company ENI,” the President said.

He said, “The ENI investment is extremely important for the future of our country, not only in developing our oil deposits, but also perhaps even more significantly, in the gas resources that are going to be developed by them.”

The involvement of ENI, the President acknowledged, “gives us the opportunity to become increasingly self-sufficient in our energy generation. We are looking forward for greater intercourse with ENI that would allow us to go into other areas of the energy portfolio.”

On the impending 5th AU-EU summit, which will take place in Cote d’Ivoire from Wednesday, 29th November, President Akufo-Addo was hopeful that the Summit would define more concretely the relationship between the two continents.

“Looking at issues of common concern, the development of our economy, the issue of migration, issues of terrorism that confront both our continents, it is my expectation and hope that both Ghana and Italy will play very constructive roles in defining this new understanding, this new relationship between Europe and Africa,” the President added.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ghana, Italy to deepen bilateral relations appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Macron’s visit forms part of his tour of Africa since becoming President earlier in 2017.

Prior to that, Italian Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, is also expected to be in Ghana today, Monday, November 27, for a day’s visit.

Macron’s African tour

Macron’s Africa tour which begins today, Monday, will see him visit Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire, and end with Ghana.

Macron’s advisers say he hopes to modernize France’s relations with Africa with the tour by emphasizing business links, education and sport rather than development aid.

Although Macron has pledged to increase France’s aid budget to 0.55 percent of GDP by 2022, France’s aid budget was cut by 140 million euros in July, as part of 4.5 billion euros of reductions in public spending.

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By: citifmonline.com with additional files from rfi.fr

The post Italian PM to visit Ghana today, French President Thursday appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.