The signboard being jointly by the Mayor of Accra, the Ayawaso East MCE and the envoy as others watch in admiration
The Republic of Turkey was last Friday honoured by local authorities with a street named after it in Accra.
The street, which veers to the right from the Kawo Kudi traffic intersection towards the National Mosque with the East Ayawaso Municipal Office on its right, is now known as the Republic of Turkey Street.
The unveiling of the signpost bearing the name was done jointly by Alhaji Mohammed Adjei Sowah, Mayor of Accra; the Municipal Chief Executive Officer of the newly created East Ayawaso Municipal Assembly, Hajia Salma M. Adams and the Turkish Ambassador to Ghana, Ms. Nesrin Bayazit.
The visibly excited Turkish envoy expressed gratitude to the authorities for the honour.
“On behalf of the President of the Republic of Turkey, Government of the Republic of Turkey, the Turkish people, Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Accra and on my behalf, I would like to express profound gratitude to the Mayor of Accra and members of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) for their decision to name this street after our country, the Republic of Turkey,” she said.
She described it as a lasting symbol of the relationship and collaboration between the two countries. She pointed at the support her country continues to render the AMA in its service to the people of Accra.
“We are looking into the possibility of supporting the mayor’s hard work regarding the beautification of Accra in line with the directions of President Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo to make Accra the cleanest city in Africa,” she stressed.
She said her country had been training the staff of the Department of Parks and Gardens, and some of its personnel will soon proceed to Turkey for further training in horticulture, adding that “we are also trying to help with the challenges faced by public schools within the jurisdiction of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly.”
On her part, the Metropolitan Chief Executive Officer of the East Ayaawaso Municipal Assembly, Hajia Salma, thanked the Turkish government for the numerous contributions they continue to give to the people of Ghana.
The Mayor of Accra, on his part, recognized the much support the Turkish government had given Ghana in various fields such as architecture and academia. He said that the street-naming event was the culmination of a long journey.
The gesture, he added, signifies the bond of relationship between the two-sister countries, and as a landmark, it would remain for the appreciation of future generation of Ghanaians.
It is auspicious that the street leads to the Kanda National Mosque that is being built by some Turkish NGOs.
By A.R. Gomda