Turkish business delegation calls on Veep

17/12/10

Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
A 115-MEMBER Turkish business delegation is in the country to explore investment avenues, especially in the energy, agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
The delegation led by the Turkish Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Zafer Caglayan, called on the Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, at the Castle, Osu on Tuesday. Also present was the Ambassador of Turkey to Ghana, Mr Kenan Tepedelen.
The business delegation will also hold talks with Ghanaian businesses.
Mr Mahama said the visit of the Turkish business, “will mark the beginning of a new relationship between Ghana and Turkey “.
He noted that Ghana and Turkey established diplomatic relations in 1958, but the relations were truncated in 1981, when Ghana experienced difficulties. That led to the closure of the Turkish Embassy in Ghana.
Mr Mahama said now that Turkey had opened a new embassy in Ghana and there was also a direct flight from Ghana to Turkey, “they set the best basis for moving the relationship to a new level”, he added.
He stressed the need for South-South co-operation, saying it was the best partnership that would benefit all the countries involved.
On Ghana’s oil, Mr Mahama said the government had put in place the necessary safeguards to ensure the judicious use of oil revenue and prevent the over-reliance on the oil sector.
He said Ghana would tap the experience of Turkey in the petro-chemical industry to assist in the country’s oil production.
Mr Mahama commended Turkey for offering scholarships to Ghanaian students to offer courses, especially medicine in Turkey.
Mr Caglayan commended Ghana for her democratic credentials and important strides in the economic sector.
He said Turkey was willing to explore investment potentials in Ghana, especially in the energy and mining sectors.
Mr Caglayan said the delegation would hold meetings and forums with the Ghana’s Trade Minister and other business individuals as a way of maximising trade potentials between the two countries.