The Government of Ghana has commissioned Chanceries in Brussels, Berlin and Geneva.
The move is expected to strengthen the connection between the government of Ghana and its citizens within the diaspora as well as improve bilateral relations Between Ghana and Belgium, Germany and Switzerland.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, supervised the commissioning of the three Chanceries via a video conference.
Madam Ayorkor Botchway noted that the decision to acquire the Chanceries in the capital cities Belgium, Germany and Switzerland as opposed to renting was informed by a number of important considerations including long-term cost-saving goals and the need to advance Ghana’s interests in the three countries.
On the Commissioning of the Chancery in Brussels, Madam Ayorkor Botchway said it was time the government of Belgium replicated the move by Ghana to open a Chancery in Brussels by doing same in Ghana.
“I believe the time has come for Belgium to re-open its Embassy in Accra to further deepen the mutually beneficial relations. We acknowledge the invaluable support and cooperation that the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium continues to extend to our Embassy. The future of Ghana-Belgium relations should not only be focused on the fact that Belgium is the capital of the European Union but that the two countries should work on forging closer ties and the expansion of cooperation in a number of areas for mutual benefit. The relations should also be informed by the increasingly strategic importance of Ghana to the rest of the world.”
Next was the Commissioning of the Chancery of Ghana in Berlin. Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchway was happy at the level of expansion work done on the mission in Berlin.
“The expansion of the Consular Section of the Berlin Mission is also in line with efforts by the Government of Ghana to improve infrastructure at Ghana Missions abroad. It is for this reason that Government obtained the US$50 million Société Générale Credit Facility, which is being used to acquire new properties and improve existing state-owned properties abroad. The Government of H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo remains committed to addressing the infrastructure needs of our Missions abroad.”
On the Chancery in Geneva, Madam Ayorkor Botchway said, “the Geneva Mission has long yearned to be in its own building. Although it has taken many years, today’s event should bring a happy closure to the long wait. A few minutes ago I joined the staff of the Ghana Missions in Brussels and Berlin via video conference to commission a new Chancery and an expanded Consular Section respectively. These commissioning cement government commitment to improve the infrastructure needs of our Missions abroad. As you are aware, the Geneva Mission is one of the beneficiaries of the US$ 50 million Société Générale Credit Facility, which is being used to acquire new properties and renovate existing ones.”
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Muhammad Habibu Tijani, and Supervising Director Ambassador Sammie Eddico as well as other directors of the Ministry were on hand to assist Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchway in the Commissioning of the three Chanceries.
Story by Nathaniel Nartey.
