Dr Bawumia, Colombian Veep hold bilateral talks

The Vice President of Colombia, Mrs Francia Elena Marquez Mina, yesterday begun her two-day working visit to Ghana as part of her tour of some African countries.

Her visit formed part of efforts by the Columbian government to build and strengthen relations for the South-South cooperation, racial and climate justice and historic reparations.

As part of her visit, she would be given a guided tour to the El­mina and Cape Coast castles today, before proceeding to Kumasi to pay a courtesy call on Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II as part of measures to strengthen her coun­try’s cultural ties with the Asante Kingdom and Ghana at large.

She is also expected to sign a bi­lateral agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and hold discussions with the Colombian Community in Ghana as well as interact with Ghanaian businessmen and women and investors in Accra today.

Mrs Mina and her entourage were welcomed by the Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahammudu Bawumia, to the Jubilee House in Accra yesterday where they held bilateral talks.

Speaking at a joint news con­ference at the Jubilee House, Dr Bawumia said the government of Ghana was making frantic efforts to open an Embassy in Colombia to consolidate the relationship that existed between the two countries.

In addition, he said government had already approved plans to be­come an observer-member of the Pacific Alliance, comprising Latin American countries like Colombia, Peru, Chile and Mexico to boost investment opportunities.

Dr Bawumia said Ghana was very proud of Mrs Mina’s achieve­ments as being the first female Afro-Columbian Vice President of Colombia.

He said the government was exploring ways to strengthen her co-operation with Colombia in the areas of agriculture, tourism, digital technology and education.

Mrs Mina on her part, said her country valued its bilateral relationship with Ghana and would continue to work to deepen it.

She said Colombia appreciated the important role Ghana was playing in seeking reparation for Africans as a result of the slave trade and reconnecting Africans in the diaspora to their roots.

She said the two countries could work together not only for their mutual good, but also for the peace and security of the world.

Mrs Mina noted that issues con­cerning climate change were real; adding that even though Ghana and Colombia were not the major cause of it, they have the respon­sibility to ensure the phenomenon was dealt with in earnest to ensure environmental sustainability and stable temperature.

The Colombian Vice President said the impact of climate change made it imperative for poor coun­tries who were feeling the pinch to push for debt cancelation to reduce the burden on their peoples.

She said Ghana must use her influence on the African Continent to get the African Union take the issues of climate change more seriously.

The Colombian Vice President welcomed Ghana’s decision to apply for an observer status of the Pacific Alliance and stressed that it would enable Ghana to understand issues from the Latin American region better.

In the area of agriculture, Mrs Mina said Colombia was ready to share her vast experience with Ghana to enable her develop her agriculture base.

“I know in the area of agri­culture, Ghana is looking at how to become self sufficient in rice production. This is one area that Colombia is willing to help,” she assured.

 BY CLIFF EKUFUL

The post Dr Bawumia, Colombian Veep hold bilateral talks appeared first on Ghanaian Times.

Read Full Story