Accra, Aug. 29, GNA - Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Minister of the Interior, on Friday expressed concern about the rate at which Ghanaians resident in Germany were renouncing their citizenship to become Germans. "Just this morning I had to sign 45 certificates for Ghanaians in Germany, who have applied to become German citizens," he said. The Minister expressed the concern when the new German Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Peter Linder, paid a courtesy call on him.

Mr Owusu-Agyemang said those Ghanaians had to renounce their birthrights because Germany is a country that did not ascribe to the concept of dual citizenship.

Touching on the relationship that had existed between the two countries, the Minister enumerated a number of areas that the Germany government had supported Ghana.

"Germany will forever be remembered for its leading crucial role in Ghana's democratic process."

He said apart from financial assistance, the German government offered technical and educational training to officials of political parties during the early stages of the country's democratic process. Mr Owusu-Agyemang noted that not much assistance had come from the German government in the area of security and appealed to the Ambassador for support in that sector.
He announced that by the end of the year the Ghana Police Service would have its security strength increased from 16,000 to 20,000.
The Ambassador expressed satisfaction about the contributions of Ghanaians in Germany, saying: "Ghanaians in Germany are contributing tremendously to the German society and their role is greatly respected." He said the German government recognized the role that Ghana and President John Agyekum Kufuor, Chairman of ECOWAS, were playing in ensuring and maintaining peace and security in the West Africa Sub-Region and pledged his country's commitment to the affairs of