Leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo joins millions to mark this year’s Francophone Week themed: “Francophone’s economic weight in the world”.

“Our lives as Ghanaians are intimately linked with the Francophone world, particularly in West Africa, and this strategic association should serve as a big boost to addressing some of our mutual concerns,” Nana Addo said in a statement issued on Wednesday, March 25.

While Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in 2006, Nana Addo led negotiations which resulted in Ghana becoming an official member of L’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), the equivalent of the British Commonwealth.

Ghana is, therefore, one of a handful of countries that enjoy membership of both the Commonwealth and La Francophonie.

Nana Addo urged Ghana to lead in negotiations over regional integration since it will inure to the country’s strategic interest.

“Ghana has to play a central role in hastening the process of creating a genuine regional market out of ECOWAS, which is dominated by Francophone countries. This will provide a ready market for the free movement of our goods and services which is critical in our quest to transforming and modernising our economy.”

The Week ends on March 29.