The UK and Ghana are building a new development partnership that will move beyond aid and encompass innovation, research, technology and sharing of best practices, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Dr Christian Rogg, has said.
He said Ghana and the UK were also strengthening trade and investment linkages for their mutual benefits.
“We are working closely with Ghana and its security services to maintain the country’s status as an island of stability,” Dr Rogg added.
He was speaking at the birthday celebration of King Charles III, in Accra, last Tuesday.
The event, which had the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, who was in Ghana on a two-day visit as the Guest of Honour, was attended by a host of dignitaries.
They included former President John Agyekum Kufuor, ministers of state, Members of Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of civil society organisations and academia, as well as chief executive officers.
Collaboration
Dr Rogg said the UK and Ghana were also working together on the global stage through the Commonwealth, the UN, and international financial institutions.
“We are fortunate to be blessed with deep personal connections of our countries and enduring friendships,” he added.
Dr Rogg further said both countries were aware that security was the foundation of development, for which reason they were working jointly to strengthen that sector.
For her part, the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, also said: “Our partnership has been marked by meaningful collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, education and security.”
The UK’s support for Ghana’s economic stability and its engagement with the country’s security institutions had contributed significantly to national development goals.
Ghana, she said, also welcomed the UK’s active participation in regional and multilateral efforts to promote peace, stability, and sustainable growth.
“Ghana believes that economic growth, inclusivity and security are inseparable and mutually reinforcing.
We share your aspiration of creating opportunities for all, promoting innovation and strengthening institutions.
“As we continue to work together, we are committed to a partnership that goes beyond traditional aid.
We embrace investment, knowledge sharing, and mutually beneficial initiatives that bring tangible improvements to the lives of our people,” the minister said.
Job creation
Mrs Ofosu-Adjare further said that the government had initiated programmes such as “Adwumawura”, which aims to support about 10,000 young entrepreneurs (aged 18–35) with training, start-up capital and mentorship, adding, “we are enabling a new generation of business-builders to lead our economy”.
Others are an apprenticeship programme which has been rolled out to equip the youth with technical and vocational skills such as plumbing, welding, ICT, and auto-mechanics to create pathways into meaningful self-employment.
Also in progress is a youth economic inclusion programme under a Local Economic Development policy, which is supporting youth-led firms in farming, aquaculture and livestock across districts.
