Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, has described as a strong development philosophy, President Akufo Addo’s ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ agenda and the quest to lift Ghana to the status of a country that can survive beyond handouts and donor funds.

Addressing a joint press conference with President Akufo-Addo at the Foyer of the Jubilee House as part of her two-day state visit to Ghana, the Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg said, “The thought and idea of an Africa beyond aid, a Ghana beyond aid and thinking that you should be dependent on your own resources and not help from other countries is a development philosophy that should be cherished”.

In her address, the Prime Minister expressed great delight at the signing of an agreement on the development of the fisheries sectors of Ghana and Norway.

“I am very happy to see the signing of this agreement and I am happy for the cooperation,” the Prime Minister said.

President Akufo Addo welcomed Prime Minister warmly to Ghana. He described the visit to Ghana as a historic one because Prime Minister Solberg is the first ever Norwegian Prime Minister to visit Ghana.

Additionally, President Akufo-Addo, said Norway’s ‘Oil for Development Programme’, which has been running successfully for more than a decade, has enhanced Ghana’s capacity to manage her petroleum resources.

“We are also grateful for the assistance offered to the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre and the Ghana Nautical College, amongst others,” he added.

He was also encouraged by the fact that more Norwegian companies are looking to invest in Ghana, symbolized by the presence of oil and gas giant, Aker Energy.

“I wish to assure the more than fifty (50) Norwegian companies operating in our country that my government will continue to try and maintain a conducive investment atmosphere that would not only guarantee the safety of their investments but also good returns on investments as well,” he said.

The President stated that he was especially pleased with the commitment of Aker to work to engineer and inspire the industrial development of the country and help achieve the structural transformation of the Ghanaian economy.

President Akufo-Addo told Prime Minister Solberg that Ghana and Norway share similar positions on many of the great issues of the day, especially the mutual attachment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to the Paris Climate Accord, to the strengthening of the multilateral system of international co-operation, and to the need to employ peaceful means to resolve disputes.

“I wish to reassure you that the Republic of Ghana will continue to collaborate with the Kingdom of Norway, at the bilateral and multilateral levels, in finding solutions to challenges such as the eradication of widespread poverty, elimination of irregular migration, insecurity and human rights violations, terrorism and violent extremism, human and drug trafficking, piracy, as well as climate change and its attendant impact on the environment and livelihoods,” he added

The President expressed his satisfaction about the ‘Fish for Development’ initiative signed by the two countries, and looked forward to its implementation because it will have a positive impact on the management of Ghana’s marine resources for the creation of wealth and jobs, particularly in fishing communities which is in line with the realisation of SDG No. 14.

Whilst in Ghana, Prime Minister Erna Solberg is expected to pay a visit to Jamestown, hold an encounter with fisherfolk, and undertake a tour of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre.