President Akufo-Addo and Doris Leuthard in a group photograph with some government officials of both countries
The Swiss government is to support Ghanaian entrepreneurs with an amount of $80 million.
This is intended to enhance their competitiveness and diversify the economy.
Swiss President, Doris Leuthard, made the announcement yesterday when she called on President Akufo-Addo at the Flagstaff House.
The visit was the second to be made to Ghana by a sitting president of the Swiss Confederation in 10 years.
The ministerial teams of the two countries held discussions aimed at deepening the bilateral relations between Ghana and Switzerland, as well as exploring other areas of cooperation between Ghana and Switzerland for the mutual benefit of their nationals.
The discussions centred on foreign affairs, UN reforms, finance, security and agriculture.
The two countries affirmed their commitment to international peace and security.
Agreements
In the area of agriculture, particularly cocoa, both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable them undertake joint projects to boost cocoa production in Ghana, as well as add value to the produce.
“Ghana, under my presidency, will no longer become mere producers and exporters of cocoa beans, and will continue the policy of processing more and more of our cocoa here in the country,” President Akufo-Addo stressed.
He observed, “There is no future for Ghana and the teeming masses of Ghanaian youth with an economy that is structured around the production and export of raw materials.”
President Akufo-Addo seized the opportunity to solicit Swiss support for the candidature of Prof. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, a woman he described as “a distinguished Ghanaian jurist” – for the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Elections to that effect would be held during the 16th Session of the Assembly of State Parties to the ICC from 4th to 14th December, 2017.
In the area of finance, President Akufo-Addo’s counterpart saw Ghana as one of the priority countries for the Swiss Confederation’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) regarding economic development.
Cooperation
Later at a press briefing, President Akufo-Addo stated, “In dealing with the ever present threat of terrorism, we stressed the importance of deepening cooperation in helping to end the scourge of terrorism, and the threats to peace and sustainable development in Africa and the world.”
He further stated, “We have also agreed to work closely in the United Nations Human Rights Council – the body responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe – as well as with other UN agencies.”
They also agreed on the extension of mutual support for the candidatures of the two countries for positions on the UN Security Council and other (UN) bodies.
“I took the opportunity also to highlight the importance that Ghana and the African Union attach to the long-overdue process of UN reform, especially of the Security Council, to correct the long-standing injustice that the current structure and composition of the UN Security Council represent for the nations of Africa,” he revealed.
The Ghanaian leader said he sought the agreement of Switzerland to support the lead role of the AU in its attempts to resolve the crises in Mali, Libya and other states of the Sahel region, which are bearing the brunt of the terrorism menace.
The two sides acknowledged the fact that the issue of migration and mobility now goes beyond the policies of individual states.
Concern
President Akufo-Addo expressed concern about the high number of young Africans taking harrowing risks across the Sahara and the Mediterranean Sea, as they try to go to Europe and other parts of the western world with the intent to better their lives.
For him, “What this means is that, if we provide them with the right environment in Africa, which enables them to enhance their skills, receive appropriate training, have access to digital technology and enhanced economic opportunities, their energies can be channelled towards making our continent great.”
On her part, Ms Doris Leuthard said, “You can continue to count on Switzerland’s multilateral, regional and bilateral cooperation.”
She indicated, “We are friends, we are partners and we appreciate very much what you are doing here.”
She was of the belief that the visit would give Ghana the needed visibility and the commitment to get more Swiss companies to invest in the country while lauding the country for its stability and democratic credentials.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent