Ghana proposes fine-tuning relations with Germany

Ghana has proposed a fine-tuning to the thematic areas of the next phase of the Technical and Economic Co-operation Agreement between Germany and Ghana.

The thematic areas include Energy, Urban Development, Decentralisation, Sustainable Agriculture for Economic Development, Good Financial Governance and Multi-donor Budget Support.

Mr Seth Terkper, Minister of Finance, speaking at a consultative meeting for both countries in Accra, said the thematic areas were selected in view of the country’s development objectives in the short to medium term.

The Agreement, dubbed: “Ghana-German Triennial Bilateral Negotiations,” required representatives of both countries to meet every three years to review their achievements, opportunities and challenges of ongoing projects and programmes and also to determine the strategic direction of the co-operation.

He said these were sectors which required extensive capital injection and the deployment of the requisite know-how to lead the development process that would consolidate the country’s lower middle income status.

Mr Terkper said government had also decided to place greater emphasis on manufacturing and value addition in growing the economy and creating employment.

The Minister said as at the end of last year, the German Government had committed a cumulative amount of € 1.60 billion in both project and programme assistance towards development of the country.

He expressed the hope that the outcome of the negotiations would be affirmed in June at the Triennial Negotiations in Germany to help deepen their co-operation as well as enhance the country’s quest for development.

Ms Renate Von Boddien, Head of Mission, West Africa and Madagascar, said her country would continue to be a reliable partner for Ghana’s developmental process.

She commended Ghana for its stability not only in the area of politics but in other areas and that Germany would support Ghana in her priority areas and shape the co-operation for the next three years.

“We are confident Ghana will overcome its macro-economic difficulties,” she said.

Ms Von Boddien said the core of their co-operation was based on technical and financial assistance, indicating that Ghana would still receive financial assistance as a soft loan.

She said the country would also receive financial assistance as a grant, calling on the Government to make known its priority areas for negotiations.

Mr John Ruediger, German Ambassador to Ghana, said the close ties between the two countries were based on development co-operation, numerous activities of civil society groups, scientific and cultural exchange and mutual beneficial private sector ventures.

He said Germany regarded Ghana as an exemplary African country with regards to democratic principles.

At the last triennial bilateral negotiations which took place in Accra in May 2012, the two countries agreed to concentrate their development co-operation efforts on four priority areas.

These are Multi Donor Budget Support and Good Financial Governance, Decentralization, Sustainable Economic Development and Agriculture.

Source: GNA