Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey with Hamdi Samad Loza
GHANA IS courting the support of Egypt to enable it host the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Government expressed its desire to house the secretariat of the new continental body in Accra and has since stepped up diplomatic efforts to secure the deal.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, took the diplomatic lobbying to Cairo where she delivered a message from President Akufo-Addo to the Egyptian authorities for backing.
The Foreign Minister who was received by the Egyptian Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs responsible for Africa, Hamdi Samad Loza, mentioned that Ghana was strategically located to aid accessibility of the secretariat.
She undertook the reciprocal visit to Egypt from June 20 to 23, 2019, and held bilateral discussions with Mr Loza.
Ms. Botchway told her host that despite Ghana’s contribution to the liberation and integration of the continent, it has not been rewarded with the hosting of any institution of the African Union.
Briefing journalists at Beijing in China where she was attending the conference of African foreign ministers with their Chinese counterparts, the minister recalled the support Ghana gave to Egypt recently during its quest for the chairmanship of the African Union which President Akufo-Addo offered the Arab country, culminating in the election of President El-Sisi’s tenure.
She noted that given Egypt’s assumption of the chairmanship of the African Union as well as the hosting of the 2019 African Cup, Ghana should be given the unique opportunity to host the secretariat of the AfCFTA.
The minister commended Egypt for the excellent facilities provided to host the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AfCON) 2019 where President Akufo-Addo watched Ghana’s Black Stars opening match with Benin.
She assured Egypt of Ghana’s preparedness to work to ensure the successful reactivation of the Ghana-Egypt Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) in 2019.
The joint commission would provide an effective legal framework for the enhancement of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Ms. Botchway also suggested that the meeting for the next PJCC be held between the month of October or November, 2019, with technical cooperation in the areas of aquaculture, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas.
She additionally congratulated Egypt on hosting the first Intra-African Trade Fair in December 2018 which brought exhibitors from other African countries.
The fair, she indicated, promoted intra-African trade which is billed to greatly benefit the continent.
The Egyptian Vice-Minister recalled the long-standing relations between Ghana and Egypt, noting the socio-economic and political developments in Ghana.
Touching on terrorism, peace and security in Africa, he expressed concern about the security situation in Mali, noting the extent of terrorism in the country particularly countries in the region.
He said Africa had been noted for its turmoil with evidence of terrorist attacks in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali and South Sudan, among others.
Regarding the PJCC, he reiterated Egypt’s commitment to the reactivation of the Joint Commission and stressed the need for it to be held this year in Egypt.
He extended an invitation to Ghana to participate in a Peace and Security Conference to be held in Aswan in the southern part of Cairo.
He mentioned that the conference would bring together officials from the Ministries of Defence from the continent particularly ECOWAS countries to share the African perspective on peacekeeping.
He commended Ghana for her peacekeeping operations over the years.
Ms Botchway was accompanied by Ghana’s Ambassador to Egypt, Dr Nii Okai Hammond; Deputy Director/Office of the Minister, Carolyn Oppong-Ntiri and Deputy Director, Africa and Regional Integration Bureau, Mayfair Adomako-Mensah.
From Fortune Alimi, Beijing