Mr. Tom Nørring, Ambassador of Denmark to Ghana
The Ambassador of Denmark to Ghana, Mr. Tom Nørring, has noted the ongoing efforts to bring Danish and Ghanaian companies together, focusing on building future partnerships in critical areas.
He stressed the importance of collaboration in sectors such as water supply and waste management, agriculture and food, the maritime and infrastructure sectors, and increasingly in tech and digitalization.
He made these comments during the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the adoption of the Danish Constitution of 1849, known as the Constitutional Act (Danmarks Riges Grundlov), held at the Embassy of Denmark, Accra.
“We want to bring innovative solutions and know-how to Ghana. I believe strongly that commercial relationships built on solid partnerships and mutual ownership are indeed the way forward and indeed very sustainable,” Mr Nørring stated.
Strong partnership
He noted that Denmark has a strong and very long string of day-to-day partnerships in key areas such as technical cooperation within the maritime sector, statistics, urban water and meteorology and climate.
According to him, all of these co-operations are centred around crucial capacity building with a strong focus on climate.
“… Denmark is a global frontrunner on the green transition. I daresay, where regulatory framework combined with strong public and private partnerships have been key in achieving our success, something that is deeply embedded in our strategic… I’m pleased to highlight tonight, since we have with us here, Ghana’s Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation as our Special Guest,” he indicated.
Security programmes
Mr Nørring also mentioned Denmark’s long standing successful maritime security programme with Ghana and other coastal states along the Gulf of Guinea.
He reiterated Denmark’s commitment to supporting Ghana through both civilian and military capacity building. He highlighted a model being implemented to address the threat of conflict spillover, where Denmark aids Ghana and its neighbouring countries in enhancing military capacities and civilian conflict prevention.
“Again, very much concentrated on both civilian and military capacity building. A similar model is being rolled out to deal with the threat of spillover from the conflicts in the Sahel, where Denmark supports Ghana and neighbouring countries, both with military capacity building and with civilian conflict prevention in the northern part of the countries by building capacities to prevent violent extremism,” Mr. Nørring stated.
Elections 2024
Mr Nørring expressed hope that Ghana’s 2025 presidential and parliamentary elections would be free, fair and peaceful. He highlighted Denmark’s support through its Strategic Development Goal facility to various national and local civil society organizations in Ghana.
This support, he noted, aims to strengthen democratic dialogue, particularly among young people, with a focus on climate-related issues, and combating fake news, disinformation and misinformation.
“This past year has been a very good one for the Danish-Ghanaian relationship. In November last year, the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, visited Ghana and, together with Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Kwaku Ampratwum, signed an agreement to promote green, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, peace and stability in Ghana and West Africa, and democratic governance and human rights,” he added.
Political stability
For her part, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ophelia Mensah- Hayford, indicated that Ghana’s political stability had been a cornerstone of its attractiveness as an investment destination, resulting in increased foreign direct investment.
She expressed hope that Danish companies would continue to establish, and partner with Ghanaian businesses, strengthening the private sector and enhancing its capacity to create employment opportunities for youth.
