General News of Saturday, 13 February 2016

Source: --

Mahama off to Iran

President John Dramani Mahama President John Dramani Mahama

Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama will be off to Iran on Sunday at the invitation of his host Hassan Rouhani.

Mahama's visit will follow that of other world leaders who have been to Tehran in the immediate post-sanctions era.

The two leaders will hold bilateral discussions and address a joint press conference on Sunday. They are expected to preside over the signing of Memoranda of Understanding and attend an Official Luncheon in honour of President Mahama.

President Mahama will also meet the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and hold discussions with the Speaker of Majlis (Parliament), Dr. Ali Larijani, an official communication from the seat of government – the Flagstaff House – said.

Ghana and Iran have a long standing relationship as members of the Non-Aligned Movement. In 2014, during a visit to Ghana by former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the two countries established a Permanent Joint Commission.

With seven Iranian companies investing over $8.6 million in the Ghanaian economy, President Mahama will at a Business Forum in Tehran push for more Ghana- Iran Business Collaboration, with Ghanaian entities exploring export markets in Iran.

Ghana will be seeking partnerships in rice farming and processing, agro-processing and mining, to expand production and export to Iran.

Iranian investments in Ghana have so far been in the manufacturing sector, with two new Iranian companies setting up in 2015, an aftermath of the visit of the former Iranian President.

President Mahama will also visit a power plant and meet with Ghanaians in Iran before leaving for Accra.