The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Ghana, Diana Acconcia, has paid a farewell call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, following the end of her three years as Head of the EU Delegation to Ghana.
The foreign minister congratulated the EU Ambassador on the successful completion of her tour of duty in Ghana.
The bilateral relations between Ghana and the EU witnessed active engagements and growth during the Ambassador’s tenure, Mrs. Ayorkor Botchwey said.
She lauded the Ambassador for successfully organising the annual Ghana-EU Political Dialogues, which enhanced relations between the EU and Ghana and afforded both sides opportunities to discuss pertinent issues of mutual interest.
The signing of an €87million special emergency budget support financing agreement between Ghana and the EU in 2020, to assist the country in its response to the COVID-19 Crisis, is an indicator of the Ambassador’s role she played in making such support a reality.
Mrs. Ayorkor Botchwey commended the EU for its funding of the COVAX facility, which made it possible for low- and middle-income countries such as Ghana to benefit from the COVID-19 vaccine – in line with the EU’s commitment to ensure equitable access to the vaccine.
She again lauded the Ambassador for launching the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Sustainable Cocoa by the European Commission, which seeks to deliver concrete recommendations to promote sustainability across the cocoa supply chain through collective actions and partnerships.
Ghana will continue to collaborate with the EU and other stakeholders to attain a sustainable cocoa production that promotes good forest cover, eliminates child labour, as well as secures the socio-economic well-being of cocoa farmers.
She highlighted the importance of the Final Report’s official presentation of the 2020 EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Ghana by Chief Observer, MEP Javier Nart, in Accra on 12th April, 2021, as the recommendations therein will facilitate improvements in Ghana’s democratic governance.
Mrs. Ayorkor Botchwey lauded the EU support for peace and security within the West Africa region and Sahel, as well as EU commitment to the multilateral system with the UN at its core alongside other regional organisations, especially the AU, ECOWAS and the G5 Sahel, in the maintenance of international peace and security; and the EU’s involvement in and commitment to resolving the crisis in Mali and maintaining security in the sub-region.
She again acknowledged the outgoing EU Ambassador for her interventions in realising the recent visit of the President of the Republic to Brussels in May, 2021, during which mutually beneficial bilateral talks were held with the European Commission Executive Vice President for an Economy that works for People and the EU Commissioner for Trade, Commissioner for International Partnerships and Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
The president’s visit culminated in: Announcement of the proposed delisting of Ghana from the EU anti-money laundering blacklist; Proposal of the EU to select Ghana as a possible manufacturing hub for COVID-19 vaccines in Africa; Signing a €170million EIB facility for establishing the Development Bank of Ghana.
Mrs. Ayorkor Botchwey concluded by urging the outgoing EU Ambassador to continue being an advocate for Ghana within the EU, and extended best wishes for her continued success in all future endeavours.
