National Forum On the Economy: 19-22nd May

Vice-president, Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur has stated that the proposed National Conference on the economy to find the best way to resolve the current economic difficulties would be held on the 19th to 22nd May 2014 in order to build a national consensus.

He made this statement on Tuesday15th May, 2014 when he addressed the European Union (EU) and Ghana on political dialogue meeting which centered on EU’s assistance to Ghana, EU’s trade and investment partnership at the Flagstaff house in Accra. The Vice President, Kwesi Amissah Arthur said the meeting was timely and an opportune one despite the delay because it should have been held before EU-Africa summit which was held in Brussels some few weeks ago and would take the opportunity to learn from the Brussels agreement.

The meeting according to the European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Claude Maerten, said the meeting would allow them to take stock of issues of mutual interest occurring both in Europe and Ghana and the sub region. This He stated would enable the two sides to agree on political and economic views in the context of a renewed partnership. Mr. Claude Maerten commended Ghana for its economic progress in Africa thus being a fast growing economy and also has a bigger role to play in the area of development for Africa and Europe

The EU Ambassador went on to state that some of the issues to be discussed would be centered on peace, security, economy and other issues in the sub region. They would further delve into areas which relates to EU’s concerns in the Fisheries sector in Ghana together with discussions on the West Africa regional security and development challenges, thus maritime security, regional programming for security (Peace, security and regional stability) ,The Gulf of Guinea strategy, Mali, Ivory Coast and the European Union on issues of mutual concern to the EU.

The members of the EU delegation consisted of eight Ambassadors of the European Union Member States resident in Ghana – in addition to the EU Ambassador and other representatives of different Ministries that would ensure that exchanges remained diverse and addressed major themes of political cooperation between Ghana and the EU. On the side of the Government was the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms. Hanna Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon Haruna Idrissu, Mr. Nayon Bilijo, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Deputy Minister for Finance , Hon. Ato Forson and other key players in the maritime industry. The last meeting that was held was a (political dialogue) in October 2010 which focused on many different issues which were then dealt with by the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Government of Ghana and by the European Union Delegation to Ghana.