By Bright Ntramah
President Akufo-Addo and his Portuguese counterpart, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, have signed bilateral instruments of co-operation in the areas of defense, political consultation and trade between the two countries.
This latest engagement, President Akufo-Addo said, would go a long way to strengthen the ties of friendship and the bonds of co-operation between Ghana and Portugal.
Speaking at a joint news conference with President Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa, as part of his 3-day official visit to Portugal, the President stated that the move is borne out of a decision by Ghana to turn its back on its old economy, which has been dependent on the production and export of raw materials, and also dependent on aid.
The President noted that Ghana wants to build a value-added, industrialized economy with a modernized agriculture, which is neither a victim nor pawn of the world economic order.
Discussions between the two leaders focused on boosting further political, cultural, people-to-people exchanges and cooperation at the multilateral level and on the need to promote a better world by addressing global issues relating to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.
The President of Portugal has also resolved to give voice to Ghana’s cause and interests within the European Union.
Ghana on the other hand, will also help to facilitate the provision of a platform for enhanced economic engagement between Portugal and the member countries of ECOWAS. This should boost the trade volumes, and help bring prosperity to the people.
He assured President De Sousa that Ghana will collaborate with Portugal to find solutions to challenges such as the eradication of widespread poverty, elimination of irregular migration, insecurity and human rights violations, terrorism and violent extremism, human and drug trafficking, piracy, as well as climate change and its attendant, negative impact on the environment and livelihoods.
At the Lisbon City Council, President Akufo-Addo was given the keys to the city of Lisbon by the Deputy Mayor, Filipe Anacoreta Correia.
