Addressing the press after private talks with President Nana Akufo-Addo at the Flagstaff House earlier on Wednesday, Mr. Johnson relayed the British government’s desire to deepen ties with Ghana.

[contextly_sidebar id=”0XOK2axjuVK2NxSlvmxVWPh4RzPHkj0A”]“We hope to have an even deeper friendship going forward. Particularly, we want to make sure that British firms come here in greater numbers and greater strengths to invest in Ghana and take advantage of the fantastic opportunities there are in this wonderful country,” he said

President Akufo-Addo also described the talks with the British Foreign Secretary as fruitful; which centred on foreign policy, security in the sub-region and trade cooperation.

“I think that a lot of work has been done to make sure that the relations between us and Great Britain continue to be on an even keel and that the areas for greater trade cooperation and business cooperation; both sides are looking at that to see what can be done to improve.”

“At the end of the day, we are both concerned about what we can do to improve the lives of our various people, and that is the main consideration,” President Akufo-Addo said.

Mr. Johnson is on a two-nation West African tour that has taken him to The Gambia and now, Ghana.

He is scheduled to visit the Blue Skies factory later on Wednesday and also address the press later tonight at the British High Commission.

He will also meet business leaders and young entrepreneurs supported by the Department for International Development’s ENGINE project, and meet with “Rising Black Stars,” highlighting both countries’ extensive cultural ties.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Boris Johnson pledges more UK investments in Ghana appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A statement from the UK said these sanctions could include the refusal or revoking of visas for anyone engaging in or inciting political violence and thus undermining Ghana’s democracy.

[contextly_sidebar id=”XmcIv2jhcKziKIqG3LW01EIkL6tYbY1V”]The UK government’s warning is in response to the recent clashes between supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The statement made direct reference to the clashes between the two parties in front of the Nima residence the NPP Flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, during a health walk organised by the NDC. It also followed a similar statement from the United States Embassy in Ghana.

Following the tensions, the UK government urged the various parties to ensure that their members avoid acts of violence and instead promote peace.

“We therefore call on all Ghana’s political actors to promote peace, and to respect Ghana’s electoral and constitutional processes. All political parties should strongly urge their supporters to refrain from, and indeed actively to condemn, any violence, incitement or intimidation which only serve to undermine democracy,” the statement said.

Find below the full statement

The British Government expresses its concern at recent incidents of political violence in Ghana in the run-up to the presidential and parliamentary elections on 7 December.

We condemn all violent acts by the supporters of any political party, including any occurring as a result of holding electoral campaign events close to the private homes of rival candidates.

The UK is a great supporter of Ghana’s democracy and of maintaining its electoral record. We admire the open and energetic nature of its campaigns. We believe that violence has absolutely no place in the electoral process.

We therefore call on all Ghana’s political actors to promote peace, and to respect Ghana’s electoral and constitutional processes. All political parties should strongly urge their supporters to refrain from, and indeed actively to condemn, any violence, incitement or intimidation which only serve to undermine democracy.

The UK reserves the right to take action against anyone engaging in or inciting political violence, including considering refusing or revoking visas.

The UK will continue to work with Ghanaian institutions, including the Electoral Commission, Police, Judiciary, National Peace Council, civil society groups and the media to support Ghana’s efforts to hold credible, peaceful and fair elections. The UK remains entirely neutral in those elections.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post UK threatens to deny visas over election violence in Ghana appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.