President Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured Norwegian companies operating in Ghana that his government will continue to maintain a conducive investment atmosphere to guarantee the safety of their investments as well as ensure good returns on investments.
The two countries have pledged to deepen the ties of co-operation that exist between them following the holding of bilateral talks between President Nana Akufo-Addo and Prime Minister Erna Solberg yesterday.
At a joint press conference addressed by the two leaders, as part of his official visit to Norway, President Akufo-Addo said his visit was aimed at reinforcing the strong ties of friendship and co-operation that already exist between the two countries.
Two big interventions
The President expressed the appreciation of the Ghanaian people to the Norwegian Prime Minister and her government and people for the considerable support they have offered Ghana through various interventions. He cited the “Oil for Development Programme”, which has been running successfully for more than a decade, and has enhanced Ghana’s capacity to manage her petroleum resources.
He also indicated that the “Fish for Development” initiative, signed by the two countries in May 2019, is having a positive impact on the management of Ghana’s marine resources for the creation of wealth and jobs, particularly in fishing communities, in line with the realisation of SDG No. 14.
Particularly delighted with Norway’s new partner country initiative, which is aimed at ensuring that partner countries become independent of aid in the long term, President Akufo-Addo indicated: “It fits in perfectly with my Government’s vision of a ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’.”
Having created a conducive economic environment in the country, the President urged more Norwegian companies to invest in Ghana, expressing the hope that more Ghanaian companies will also take up the offer to invest in Norway.
SDG advocate
For her part, the Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, commended President Akufo-Addo on the work he has undertaken, so far, as co-Chair of Eminent Advocates of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Describing Ghana as “one of our closest partners in Africa”, Prime Minister Solberg indicated that Norway is determined to deepen her bilateral relations with Ghana, and, thereby, help improve the living standards of their respective populations.
Earlier, President Akufo-Addo paid a courtesy call on Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen, the current president of the Storting, the supreme legislature of Norway.
The Crown Prince of Norway, Haakon, who has assumed the role of Regent, also hosted the President to an official lunch at the Royal Palace.
