President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo of Ghana signs to co-operate with Marcelo Robelo de Sousa in areas of defence, political consultation and trade among the two countries.
On Tuesday 18th July 2023, in Lisbon, Portugal, As part of President Akuffo-Addo 3-day state visit to Portugal Ghana signs to co-operate with Portugal
Speaking at a joint press conference with the President of Portugal Marcelo Robelo De Sousa.
President Akuffo-Addo said “This latest form of engagement would go long way to strengthen the ties of friendship and the bonds of co-operation between Ghana and Portugal”
President Marcelo also said “This move is bourne out of a decision by Ghana to turn our back on our old economy
which has been dependent on the production and export of raw materials, and also dependent on aid”
“We want to build a value added, industrialized economy with a modernized agriculture, which is neither victim nor pawn of the world economic order
“We want our relations with Portugal and indeed the rest of the world
to be characterized by an increase in trade and investment co-operation”. President Nana Addo says.
He pointed out that, the discussions also focused on boosting further political, cultural, people-to-people exchange
And cooperation at the multilateral level and on the need to promote a better world by addressing global issues relating
To the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He added that “This is the way to develop healthy relations between our two countries
Put Ghana at the high end of the value chain in the global market place.
And create jobs for Ghanaians particularly the youth.”
Co-operation
President Robelo resolved to give voice to Ghana’s cause and interests within the European Union.
We, on the other hand, will also help to facilitate the provision of a platform for enhanced economic engagement between Portugal and the members of ECOWAS.
On Global security, President Akkufo-Addo stated that with Joe Biden of US, President Emmanuel Marcon of the French Republic
Calling publicly for reforms at the UN Security-Council in line with the Ezulwini consensus,
they look forward to the leaders of the three other Permanent Members also throwing their support behind the reform process.
He also assured President Marcelo Ghana will collaborate with Portugal to find solutions to challenges such as poverty,
insecurity and human rights violations, terrorism and violent extremism, human and child trafficking and piracy.
The City Of Lisbon
Flippe Anacoreta Correia, The Deputy Mayor gave President Akuffo-Addo the keys to the city of Lisbon.
President Akuffo-Addo said “I have come to Lisbon to advocate for increased investment and trade between our two nations.
Trade relations between Ghana and Portugal have evolved through history, and it is clear that a new paradigm has to be defined,
Which will be dependent on the structural transformation of Ghanaian economy from a raw material producing and exporting economy to a value adding, industrializing economy”.