Ghana and Turkey boosted their bilateral relations with the signing of four agreements and MOUs Tuesday.
The agreements were bilateral cooperation in the promotion and protection of investments and cooperation in communication while the MOUs covered sports and energy. It followed talks between President John Dramani Mahama and the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, at the Flagstaff House.
The agreements were signed by representatives of both countries in the presence of the two presidents.
To ensure that the agreements did not remain on paper, a three-month period was given for their take off.
President Erdoğan who was in the country on a two-day official visit was given a warm welcome by his host at the forecourt of the Flagstaff House before they went into the bilateral meeting.
A 21-gun salute boomed at the background as the national anthems of the two countries were played by the military band.
News conference
At a joint news conference after the bilateral talks, President Mahama said the visit of President Erdoğan marked another chapter in the relations between the two countries.
The President pledged that he would give his personal attention to the implementation of the agreements.
He thanked Turkey for an invitation extended to the Minister of Defence to study defence intelligence in that country.
He also welcomed Turkey’s decision to offer scholarships to 20 young Ghanaians to study in that country. Already 15 Ghanaians are on scholarship in Turkey.
President Mahama said emphasis would be on girls, as well as science and technology.
The President further mentioned Ghana’s cooperation with Turkey Exim Bank and said a list of projects had been presented to the bank for financing and indicated that the bank had promised to give it the necessary attention.
Touching on the new mosque under construction, the President on behalf of the Muslim community, praised the Turkish government for the financial assistance given to the project.
Diplomatic relations
President Mahama said Ghana would construct a new consulate in Turkey to make things easier for Ghanaians who travel to that country.
He extended Ghana's solidarity to Turkey in the fight against terrorism.
On migration, President Mahama called for international support for Turkey which is also home to four million refugees.
Turkish President
Speaking through an Interpreter, President Erdoğan said Ghana had a lot to offer the world and therefore his country was proud to be its development partner.
"Ghanaian people are very sincere and warm, "he said.
Ghana is the fourth biggest trading partner of Turkey in sub-Sahara Africa.
President Erdoğan promised that trade between the two countries would be boosted in the coming years, adding that Turkey was ready to contribute to the economic development of Ghana.
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