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Republic of Malta celebrates National Day in Accra …with a call for investments in Ghana
The High Commission of the Republic of Malta in Ghana, on Wednesday 13th December, 2023 celebrated Malta’s forty-ninth (49th) Republic Day in a colourful event at the premises of the High Commission, located at Ridge in Accra.
The Guest of Honour at the well-attended event was Honourable Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture. During his speech, he urged foreign investors to take advantage of Ghana’s strategic position to invest in the country under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Hon. Awal further explained that AfCFTA, which is a market of about 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP of over US$3.3 Trillion, equally offers enormous opportunities for private sector operators to establish their businesses in Ghana through strategic partnerships and Joint Ventures.
The Minister stressed on the four pillars of the Government’s Economic Transformation Agenda which encompass the building of a resilient economy, modernizing Ghana’s agricultural sector, industrial transformation, and infrastructural development. He added that Ghana is committed to building a competitive and stable economy and becoming a more attractive destination for investment.
“Government’s prioritization of strategic sectors such as tourism, pharmaceuticals, mining, petrochemicals and integrated aluminium situated within the ambit of flagship programmes such as the “Year of Return and Beyond the Return”, “One District One Factory”, present golden opportunities for an enhanced Ghana-Malta cooperation,” he said.
Relations
On the Ghana/Malta relations, he said Ghana valued its relations with Malta and welcomed the cooperation between the two countries in various fields which have deepened bonds of friendship and cooperation.
“Malta is reputed to be a country that has made steady progress to become one of the most competitive industrialised countries in the world.
It is, therefore, worth mentioning that Malta’s efforts towards achieving a buoyant economy and asserting itself as a relevant global player, is indeed worthy of emulation,” he added.
Increasing cooperation
The Maltese High Commissioner to Ghana, Jean Claude Galea Mallia, said the relationship between the two countries has developed since the establishment of the High Commission of Malta in Ghana in 2019.
He said going forward, his outfit will continue working enthusiastically as a proponent for more exchanges between the people of Malta and Ghana.
He said Malta’s priorities in Ghana are driven by the Malta-Africa Strategy for Partnership and aimed at establishing a strong and lasting mutually beneficial collaboration with the country, region, and continent.
“Malta and Ghana are both committed to increasing cooperation and meaningful exchanges in tourism and culture, including knowledge transfer and cooperation on destination marketing strategies, public relations, advertising campaigns, heritage regeneration and repurposing, as well as exchanging tourism-related research and information,” he said.
Photography exhibition
As part of the celebration, a photography exhibition, dubbed, Valletta-Accra: A dialogue between Mercantile Cities, was inaugurated.
According to the High Commissioner, the exhibition forms part of an ongoing collaboration between Maltese and Ghanaian researchers: Architect Erica Giusta representing AP Valletta, Architect David Kojo Derban, Art and Design Writer, Ann Dingli, and Photographer, Paul Addo, supported by the Malta Arts Council.
He said the purpose of the exhibition and the research project is to convey a dynamic perspective on heritage, rooted in the basic theoretical principle that heritage should not be static but rather in constant evolution.
“The conclusion that shall be taken from this is that sustainable heritage could be achieved by the full utilisation and harmonisation of natural, cultural, folkloric, and historical and architectural resources fused.
Through such partnerships, researchers, architects, artists, and curators from both countries may share experience and knowledge with finding innovative solutions for preserving heritage and bringing it closer to the public,” he said.
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
