Mr Eric Odoi-Anim, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Zimbabwe said, one of the tasks given him by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was to ensure that the High Commission works in harmony with all Ghanaians and to promote investment to Ghana.

    This he said was to ignite and strengthen a communal and solidarity spirit of Ghanaians to finding great strength in coming together to harness the country’s untapped potential.

    Mr Eric Odoi-Anim said this at a reception held for the Ghanaian and Diplomatic Community to mark Ghana's 62nd Independence Anniversary Celebrations in Harare, Zimbabwe.

    The event was attended by  International Organizations accredited to Zimbabwe, Senior Government Officials, Officials from the host Foreign Ministry and Heads of public and private institutions in Zimbabwe.

It provided the opportunity for a re-stock of the achievements of Ghana-Zimbabwe relations, as well as a projection of the bilateral ties in the years ahead.

    The occasion also created an opportunity for the Ghanaian Community to fraternize amongst themselves, and aired some of their concerns for possible solutions.

    He assured that the two countries will work towards developing a renewed bilateral partnership between their private and public sectors.

    Mr Odoi-Anim recalled the longstanding strong ties between Ghana and Zimbabwe, which is traceable to the early years of the Zimbabwean liberation struggle.

    He underscored the need for both countries to expand further existing relations to include economic cooperation and partnership, with emphasis on trade and investment.

    The High Commissioner who is also accredited to Mozambique indicated that both countries have begun preparatory works on the establishment of a Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) between the two countries, which would allow for the pursuit of economic and investment endeavours.

    He stated further that the new dispensation in Zimbabwe was open for business, and that the steps Ghana was taking to move Beyond Aid, would give enough impetus for an expansion of trade and economic ties between the two sides.

    Mr Odoi-Anim urged the Ghanaian Community to be active participants in the drive of making the Missions work progressive and stressed the importance of adhering to the laws of the land of Zimbabwe.

    He outlined some policies of President Akufo-Addo government including; the One District-One Factory, One Village One Dam, the Planting for Food and Jobs, Digitisation of Cities, the  National Identification Card, the Paperless Ports Operations and the implementation of the Free Senior High School.

    Mr Odoi-Anim called on Ghanaians in Zimbabwe and Mozambique to position themselves strategically and take advantage of these policies and assured them of the Mission and government’s readiness to support Public - Private - Partnerships (PPP).

    He said the PPP would not only impact positively on the Ghanaian economy, but also the partner country and thanked the Ghanaian Community for honouring the invitation.     “I encouraged you (the Ghanaian Community) to form a cohesive union and avail yourselves for relevant developments updates  information in Ghana and form a Business Association”.

Mr Odoi-Anim stressed the government  of President Akufo-Addo commitment to creating an enabling environment for business to thrive and boost Ghana’s economy in all sectors to increase productivity, promote development and uplift the living standards of the citizenry.

    Alice Mageza, the Director for Africa, Asia and Pacific Department of the host Foreign Ministry, Zimbabwe expressed appreciation for the opportunity to join the celebration of Ghana’s 62nd Independence Anniversary.

    She acknowledged the excellent relations between the two countries and the need to compliment the cordial political ties by cultivating socio-economic, technical and scientific cooperation.

    Alice Mageza expressed the hope that both countries would soon convene the Ghana-Zimbabwe PJCC, a platform which would create avenues for considering newer areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two peoples.

    She encouraged trade and investments in each other’s economies and deeper engagements between the private sectors of Ghana and Zimbabwe.  

    The High Commission use the occasion to display Ghanaian savouries such as plantain chips, roasted groundnuts, chocolate, pebbles, choco milo and local Ghanaian beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).