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The Ambassador-Designate of the Embassy of the Republic of Niger, H.E. Mrs. Lamido Salamatou Bala Goga, has presented open letters to Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, on Wednesday, 31st March, 2021.
Earlier, the minister recalled with satisfaction the long history of brotherliness, friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance that has characterised relations between Ghana and Niger for more than a century.
She observed that the pioneering efforts of the first Presidents of the two countries, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Mr. Hamani Diori, to unite the African continent with a common purpose of African emancipation have strengthened cooperation towards the consolidation of peace, economic liberation and poverty eradication between the two countries;
The minister noted Noted that the excellent relations, in recent times, have continued to be cordial as both countries maintain close ties in various spheres of mutual interests, particularly, on issues of economy, trade and security;
She indicated that in a bid to further deepen ties with Niger, Ghana on 1st January 2018, opened a Consulate-General in Niamey and noted with satisfaction that in the interest of further deepening ties between the two countries, the Consulate-General was upgraded to the status of an Embassy on 7th August, 2019.
In furtherance of its commitment to deepening relations with Niger, she stressed that Ghana desires to construct a permanent structure to house its Chancery and the Ambassador’s residence in Niamey.
In that regard, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey reiterated Ghana’s request for a parcel of land within the diplomatic enclave of Niamey to construct a Chancery and Ambassador’s residence and expressed the hope that in the spirit of the historical relations that exist between the two countries, the government of Niger will expedite action on Ghana’s request.
She also recalled that Ghana and Niger signed a five-year Bilateral Agreement on General Cooperation on 19th June, 2018 and underscored the importance of commissioning a Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) to serve as a forum for addressing the challenges and implementation of the agreement.
She mentioned the presence of two officials from the Ministry of Secondary Education of Niger currently in Ghana and observed with admiration the desire of the Nigerian Government to draw inspiration from the management methods of Ghana’s educational system.
However, the minister highlighted that under the framework of the General Agreement, there has been minimal cooperation on educational exchanges between the two countries.
She noted that the excellent relation between the two countries is further demonstrated by the over one million (1Million) Nigeriens in Ghana who are engaged in trading activities and a large number of Ghanaians also living and working in Niger;
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey congratulated the Niger Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) for their outstanding role in ensuring a successful election and noted with satisfaction, the democratic path embarked upon by the brotherly people of Niger that resulted in the free, fair and credible run-off election in December, 2020;
She made reference to the recent donation of 100,000 ink stamp pads made by Ghana to Niger to facilitate the latter’s second round of presidential election;
She therefore conveyed through the envoy to the Government of Niger warm congratulations for the successful democratic transition of power in February, 2021 and commended the peaceful settlement of its post electoral disputes.
She emphasized “the Government of Ghana’s commitment towards consolidating existing friendly ties and expanding the scope of economic and technical cooperation between the two countries” and assured “Ghana’s commitment to work with Niger towards maintaining the excellent relations existing between the two countries, as well as consolidating the peace in the sub-region”.
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey wished the Ambassador-designate a successful tour of duty and assure her of Government’s continuous support in the execution of her mandate.
