Mar 7- 2024
STATEMENT BY HER EXCELLENCY ANNA BOSSMAN, AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA TO FRANCE, PORTUGAL, MONACO, LA FRANCOPHONIE AND THE OECD, ON THE OCCASION OF THE COMMEMORATION OF THE 67TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY ON WEDNESDAY 6TH MARCH 2024
Your Excellencies, Heads of Diplomatic Missions
My fellow compatriots
Friends of Ghana
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
It is my pleasure and honour to welcome and thank you all for accepting to join us to celebrate the 67th Independence Anniversary of Ghana’s independence.
This event is of particular significance to Ghana’s Mission in Paris as it is our first commemorative reception since the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic that brought about unprecedented changes in our lifestyles, work, and social interactions. We are delighted to see you turn out in your numbers to celebrate with us.
This year, the independence Anniversary of the Republic of Ghana is celebrated under the theme ‘Our Democracy, Our Pride’ and speaks to the indispensable role our democracy has played and the strides we have made but also the hurdles we have had to face as a country.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
Sixty-seven (67) years ago on the 6th of March 1957, our beloved Nation Ghana blazed the trail and became the first country in Sub Saharan Africa to obtain independence.
We have indeed come a long way. On this journey we have sometimes traversed tortuous roads, faced numerous challenges and difficulties but we have also made tremendous progress and chalked enviable successes; because we have chosen to nurture and grow a democratic society where the rule of law, media and political freedoms and the freedom of expression , the protection of fundamental human rights, equality of opportunity, economic growth, free and fair elections, improvement in access to health and social services are maintained, thus ensuring stability in constitutional rule.
Because we choose democracy, we are seen today as one of the most celebrated and progressive democracies in Africa and positioned as one of the preferred investment destinations in the West Africa Sub Region.
Admittedly, we still have challenges as we continue to forge towards an enduring future and we are not sleeping on our laurels, nor are we taking it for granted; for democracy must be nurtured, must be cherished and must be protected. However, we have demonstrated beyond all doubt, that the African and for that matter the Ghanaian, can move beyond an era of strong men, to an era of strong and enduring institutions that undergird our fight against setbacks such as poverty, inadequate infrastructure, marginalization, vulnerabilities, the unsustainable exploitation of our human and natural resources, the lack of basic resources, insecurity, inequalities, the effects of climate change and corruption.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
In the quest to wean Ghana from aid dependency, and to put the country on the path of sustainable growth, His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on his assumption of the presidency in 2017 established the Government's Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies entitled: 'An Agenda For Jobs: Creating Prosperity And Equal Opportunity for All’.
A year later in 2018, Ghana became the fastest growing economy in the world, with an annual growth of 8.3%. Through the Ghana Beyond Aid Programme several initiatives were implemented in partnership with the private sector as the engine of growth to foster economic development and improve the lives of the Ghanaian people. These initiatives included the Youth in Agriculture Programmes, the Free Senior High School (S. H. S.) Programme, a sustained campaign to protect the environment from the devastating effects of illegal small-scale mining and the establishment of a more efficient and reliable National I. D. System as part of the Government’s digitalization programme.
Nearly eight years on, the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic coupled with the effects of protracted wars around the world have substantially eroded the gains made, derailed the Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda and sent the country back to the International Monetary Fund for support.
Nonetheless, it has not all been gloom and doom. Some of the achievements made continue to be felt. The Government’s programme to formalize and modernize the economy through digitization has been very successful in positively impacting all facets of the economy including public administration, health, education, and the financial sector. Described by an independent media as ‘Ghana’s extraordinary digitalization makeover’ the programme ranks high on the continent making Ghana one of the digital leaders in Sub-Saharan Africa.
As announced by the President during the State of the Nation address last week, the latest project known as the Performance Tracker will be launched this March to allow for tracking of Government projects and ensure greater accountability and transparency. The Government’s transformative educational agenda such as the free SHS education and the promotion of STEM education are making a real impact. Ghana is making strides in environmental protection and securing carbon finance credits.
Distingués invités, Mesdames et Messieurs
A ce jour, notre parcours démocratique nous a apporté la paix et la stabilité nécessaires pour faire avancer l’agenda de notre gouvernement pour un Ghana résilient et prospère. Dans cette entreprise, nous restons déterminés à forger des liens plus solides avec les pays amis. À cet égard, le gouvernement et le peuple du Ghana chérissent leurs relations de longue date avec le gouvernement et le peuple français. Remontant à l'époque de notre indépendance, nos liens d'amitié solides ont progressé de manière constante en se fondant sur nos valeurs et nos intérêts communs, tant au niveau bilatéral que multilatéral. Les relations bilatérales du Ghana avec la France touchent entre autres l’éducation, l’énergie, le tourisme et les sports.
Le Ghana est le 5e marché parmi les pays subsahariens non francophones, et nos échanges avec la France concernent principalement les biens d'équipement, l'agroalimentaire, la chimie, les hydrocarbures et l'agriculture.
Plus de 70 entreprises françaises sont actuellement présentes au Ghana, avec un stock d'investissement de 1,3 milliard d'euros, ce qui en fait la 7ème destination des investissements directs étrangers français en Afrique et la quatrième de la CEDEAO[1].Il existe également une forte coopération culturelle, scientifique et technique qui inclut ces langues et le soutien linguistique ainsi que la mobilité des étudiants[2].
Cette année, le Ghana compte devenir membre à part entière de la Francophonie dans le cadre de notre coopération multilatérale avec la France.
Il est juste et opportun d'exprimer la gratitude du gouvernement du Ghana envers le gouvernement de la France pour son soutien inestimable et je souhaite réitérer notre engagement à approfondir nos liens d'amitié dans les années à venir, alors que nous continuons à collaborer pour notre bénéfice mutuel.
Distingués invités, Mesdames et Messieurs
Au-delà de la scène nationale et en phase avec la politique étrangère de bon voisinage du gouvernement, le Ghana a été activement impliqué dans les travaux de la Communauté économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEAO). Le Ghana a entrepris avec succès de nombreuses médiations et résolutions de conflit.. Il n'y a pas si longtemps, Son Excellence le Président de la République du Ghana a présidé la Conférence des chefs d'État de la CEDEAO pendant deux mandats successifs, au cours desquels diverses initiatives ont été prises pour intervenir comme médiateur dans des conflits de voisinage et préserver la paix et la stabilité de la sous-région.
Au niveau continental, en plus d'héberger au Ghana la Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine (secrétariat de la ZLECAf), le gouvernement exploite les opportunités offertes à nos petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) d’accéder au marché africain pour l'expansion et la diversification du commerce tout en servant également de porte d’entrée vers le plus grand marché africain. Après le début des échanges officiels au sein de la zone de libre-échange en octobre 2022, deux entreprises ghanéennes, Kasapreko Company Limited et Ghandour Cosmetics, figuraient aux côtés de sociétés de six autres pays, prêtes à commencer leurs activités commerciales dans le cadre de la ZLECAF.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
We are in an election year, and I am certain that Ghanaians will exhibit the usual discipline, maturity, and tolerance for a successful outcome of the December 2024 general elections. Our institutions of State have stood the test of time and our independent Electoral Commission, acclaimed for the successful conduct of our electoral process over the years, will once again ensure that the polls are free and fair.
We the Ghanaian people are determined to work towards improvement of the lives of present and future generations, create favourable conditions that will afford our teeming youth the opportunity to develop and utilise their talents and obtain gainful employment. This will make them remain at home, rather than risk their lives on perilous journeys across the Sahara and the mediterranean sea in pursuit of the illusion of greener pastures abroad. In this regard, I wish to commend you my fellow Ghanaian compatriots living in the French Diaspora, for your immense contributions towards national development through startups at home, remittances, and other forms of assistance.
It is in recognition of your role in national development, that the Diaspora Relations Office was established some years ago to mobilise and harness your skills towards national development. As Ghanaians living in France, your wellbeing is important to the Government. In line with Government’s commitment to safeguard and protect the welfare of our nationals in the Diaspora, the Embassy in Paris together with my staff will continue to work closely with the host institutions to ensure your welfare.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of you, our distinguished guests, who took the time to celebrate with us. Our special appreciation goes to the Maire of Paris XVIeme and staff for all the support provided to ensure a successful event. I am indebted to my staff and compatriots for their tireless efforts in organizing the programme.
Finally, I am indebted to the organisers of the Ghana Europe Tourism Investment Summit (GHETIS) and the Jospong Group of Companies for your invaluable assistance in making this event possible.
As part of our anniversary celebration, the Embassy in collaboration with GHETIS is organising a Tourism Promotion Summit at the Marriot Hotel, Champs Elysee on Friday 8th March 2024. I hope as many as have received an invitation would honour us with their presence.
May the Lord bless our homeland Ghana and continue to make her great and strong.
Long live Ghana, long live France.
Long live Ghana France Relations.
I thank you all.
[1] Extrait de France Diplomatie
[2] Ibid France Diplomatie