By Iddi Yire, GNA Special Correspondent,
Riyadh. Courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration
Riyadh, Jan 26, GNA – Madam Shirley Ayorkor
Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration on Sunday paid a
courtesy call on her Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in
Riyadh.
During the meeting the two ministers
discussed bilateral relations between Ghana and Saudi Arabia.
The duo, announced that President Nana Addo
Dankwa Akufo-Addo would be paying a State visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
from February 7 – 8.
Madam Botchwey, who is the first Ghanaian
Foreign Minister to officially visit the Kingdom, said the purpose of the
President’s visit was to deepen relationships between the countries.
She expressed her appreciation for the warm
reception and courtesies extended to her and her delegation during the visit.
She further extended warm greetings from the
President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
“May this visit herald even stronger
ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Ghana for the
benefit of both our people.”
She recalled that Ghana and Saudi Arabia
have enjoyed cordial bilateral relations which date back to the 1960s and
indicate that since then, the bonds of friendship between the two countries
have witnessed steady growth.
“Saudi Arabia is Ghana’s oldest
bilateral partner in the Gulf Region and that, our relations with Riyadh paved
the way for the expansion of our bilateral relations to the rest of the
countries in the region,” she stated
“Saudi Arabia, therefore, continues to
remain a priority partner for Ghana in the region.”
Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey also
mentioned the appreciation of the Government and People of Ghana for the
decision of the Government of Saudi Arabia to donate fifty (50) tons of date
fruits to Ghana last year during the Ramadan season and seize the opportunity
to thank the authorities for the kind gesture.
She acknowledged that the donation was very
symbolic, considering the fact that dates were a national symbol of Saudi
Arabia, and also because it was personally from the Custodian of the two Holy
Mosques, His Royal Highness, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
She expressed gratitude to the Government of
Saudi Arabia for being trusted and true friends of the Government and people of
Ghana and affirm the commitment of Ghana to continue to work towards forging
closer ties of friendship and cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
She thanked the Government of the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia for their contributions made to vital areas of Ghana’s national
development including education, health care, energy, road construction, as
well as donations to build mosques, orphanages and provision of safe drinking
water in Islamic communities in Ghana.
Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey further
commended the Saudi Government for not only extending scholarships to young
Muslim students to study in universities in Saudi Arabia, but also offering
through the Islamic Development Bank, annual scholarships to Ghanaian students
to undertake courses in Turkish universities in Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering
and Veterinary Science, to enable them contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s
development.
On his part, Prince Faisal, who lauded the
cordial relationship between the two countries; said the Kingdom was ready to
welcome President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for a State visit.
Prince Faisal said outstanding agreements
between the two countries should be finalised in other to strengthen the
bilateral relations between them.
At the meeting were Sheikh T.B Damba,
Ghana’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Mr. Meshal Hamdan
Al-Rogi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Ghana.
GNA