Three members of the diplomatic community – the Irish and Swiss High Ambassadors to Ghana and the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator – yesterday bade farewell to President Akufo-Addo.
This was when they called on him at the Jubilee House in Accra to inform him of the end of their duty tour of the country.
First to call was the outgoing Irish envoy, Sean Hoy, who had stayed in the country for four years.
In a brief remark, he indicated that even though he was based in Nigeria where the mission is located, he has fond memories of the times he spent in Ghana during the period of his duty tour particularly when it comes to security.
He disclosed that Ireland would be looking at expanding relations with West Africa and Ghana would be one of the key countries within the sub-region that stands to benefit from these relations.
On his part, President Akufo-Addo congratulated Hoy on his new posting to Brazil.
He was, however, hopeful that in the near future, the Irish government would consider the option of setting up a permanent consulate in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
The outgoing United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Christine Evans-Klock, was of the conviction that Ghana is on the right path in her quest to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She therefore promised to support her successor in his or her work in Ghana.
President Akufo-Addo commended the UN envoy for her commitment and dedication to duty which according to him were visible, for which reason she would be missed.
He stressed his unwavering commitment to ensure that Ghana continues to partner UN to ensure its sustainable development.
During his turn, the outgoing Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Markus Nicklaus Paul Dugly, who had the privilege of serving for a year and a half in Ghana, assured the President of his government’s commitment to a partnership in the ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ initiative, a partnership where aid would not substitute private investment but would capitalise them.
Even though his stay in the country was short, he promised to give his successor all the support he can from his newly assigned base in Luxembourg.
President Akufo-Addo, in his remarks, said Ghana values highly its relations with Switzerland and therefore urged the outgoing envoy to continue his advocacy for Ghana wherever he finds himself.
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