Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has showered praises on H.E. Lulama Marytheresa Xingwana for an excellent work done during her tenure as the High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa.
According to her, the friendship and cooperation between the two countries have grown from strength to strength, characterized by several exchanges of high-level visits which have resulted in economic dividends for both countries.
The Minister commended Ms. Lulama Marytheresa Xingwana “for the exemplary work done during her tenure in deepening the bonds of friendship between Ghana and South Africa and expressed the hope that her successor will continue her good works in strengthening the already cordial relations between the two countries”.
H.E. Ms. Lulama Marytheresa Xingwana, who was appointed in April 2015, successfully completed her duty tour and paid a farewell call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration on Thursday, November 5, 2020.
During their interaction, Mrs. Ayorkor Botchwey recalled the longstanding relations between Ghana and South Africa dating back to the liberation struggle in Africa and indicated that the bonds of friendship between the two have been underpinned by “shared values of mutual respect, commitment to democracy, good governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights”.
She added that Ghana was pleased to receive His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa to Ghana in December 2019 just as South Africa welcomed President Akufo-Addo in December 2018, when he attended the “Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100”, in memory of the Centenary celebration of President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
While wishing the Commissioner success in her future endeavours, Madam Botchwey also assured her that Ghana would extend the same support and solidarity to her successor to advance the relations between the two countries.
Minister bids farewell to Ethiopian Ambassador
In a related development, the Regional Integration Minister bid farewell to His Excellency Regessa Kefale Ere, the Ethiopian Ambassador to Ghana when the latter also paid a farewell call on her.
The minister expressed gratitude to Ambassador Regessa Kefale Ere for the outstanding contribution and support offered by the Government of Ethiopia to Ghana in its bid to host the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, “the AfCFTA creates an opportunity for the two countries to boost trade relations as well as with other members of the African Union with the hope that the business communities in both countries would take advantage of the large market offered by the AfCFTA”.
While highlighting the deep-rooted relations between both countries, she also noted that Ghana appreciates the support and cooperation from the Ethiopian government towards the construction of Ghana’s new Chancery building in Addis Ababa especially when H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia graced the sod-cutting ceremony performed by President Akufo-Addo in February, 2020.
The Foreign Affairs Minister lauded Ambassador Regessa Kefale Ere for the exemplary work done during his tenure and further praised Ethiopia for aiding in the evacuation of Ghanaians, which was undertaken by Ethiopian airlines, as well as the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s role in the coordination and distribution of COVID-19 materials across the African continent.
