On the first day of a State Visit to the Republic of Ghana, President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca held a roundtable meeting with the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at Flagstaff House in Ghana. This is the first State Visit by a Maltese Head of State to sub-Saharan Africa and to the Republic of Ghana.
During the meeting, the President Coleiro Preca expressed her satisfaction that the Malta delegation came to Ghana with a message of friendship, and to strengthen the already good relations between the two countries.
President Coleiro Preca said that there is much more to be done to explore the potential of both countries, to explore opportunities, and to enhance further the excellent bilateral relations, in the areas of social, political, and economic life, between the Republic of Malta and the Republic of Ghana.
The President highlighted the recent establishment of a Joint Technical Commission between the two countries, and said that Malta was looking forward to the next meeting to be held in Ghana.
The State Visit by the President of Malta also marks a significant moment in the relations between Malta and Ghana, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations, between the Government of Malta and the Government of Ghana.
Hon. Carmelo Abela, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion signed the agreement.
The Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of Bilateral Political Consultations gives scope for discussions and consultation on a political level. “Despite our geographical distance, I believe that it is our political will and determination, that is of the essence, for our two countries to develop our respective potential and to materialise our common aspirations”, President Coleiro Preca said, while urging the two countries to all maintain the momentum started during the visit.
President Coleiro Preca also welcomed the emphasis placed on Youth and Employment at the upcoming EU-African Summit. “I believe that this Summit is an opportunity for sharing and hopefully, for potential effective action. This Summit should be seen as a constructive opportunity for the European Union to learn from countries with young, and growing, populations, such as Ghana”, the President said.
Malta launched a number of scholarship opportunities for Ghanaian and Nigerian students, as a direct response to the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, and its Sustainable Development Goals, and will expand the number of scholarships available to developing countries.