H. E Nesrin Bayazit, Information Minister-Designate, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, with children of the Rebhad International School
The Ambassador of Turkey to Ghana, Nesrin Bayazit, says her country is committed to the Ghana Beyond Aid’ agenda of the Akufo-Addo administration.
Speaking at a reception to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey in Accra, Ambassador Bayazit said Turkey would contribute to the achievement of the government’s ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ agenda.
She revealed that the “Turkish Government supports flagship projects of the Ghanaian government like the ‘One District, One Factory, ‘Planting for Food and Jobs, One Village, One Dam and Free SHS policies.”
She lauded the strong diplomatic relations between the two countries which spans 60 years, with three presidential visits between the two countries.
“Up to date Turkey and Ghana have signed 24 MoUs in various fields, and there are some more on our agenda,” she said.
- E Bayazit further observed that Turkish companies have been investing in Ghana mainly in construction, energy, manufacturing and services.
“Existing political stability, strong democracy and skilled young people make Ghana attractive for the investors from Turkey.
Presently, investments from Turkey in Ghana amount to about $516 million, and we are planning to increase it to $1 billion in the near future, she added.
She said Turkey’s national carrier, the Turkish Airlines, which been operation in Ghana since 2010, has increased by 76 per cent, offering 290 destinations to Ghanaian travelers via Istanbul.
The Turkish Ambassador also commended MAPA Ghana Limited, the Turkish company, which built the state-of-the-art edifice, Terminal 3 at the Kotoka International Airport.
She also cited the major water treatment projects in Akim Oda, Akwatia and Winneba, donation of 240 pieces of neurosurgical equipment to the Ridge Regional Hospital, as well as 30 buses to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to improve transportation in 10 regions of Ghana.
- E Bayazit further commended Ghana’s tremendous progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal on Universal basic education and poverty reduction.
“I would also like to congratulate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his reappointment as Co-Chair of the UN Secretary General’s Eminent Group of Sustainable Development Goals Advocates for an additional two years,” said the outgoing envoy.
The event was attended by heads and representatives of Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations, members of the Council of State, Members of Parliament (MPs), religious and traditional leaders, and members of the Turkish community in Ghana.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri