ANKARA
Ghana's embassy in Ankara was opened on Monday.
Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, National Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz, Ghana's Foreign Minister Muhammed Mumuni, Defense Minister J.H. Smith, Trade Minister Hanna Tetteh, and Ghana's Ambassador to Turkey Ibrahim Abass attended the inauguration ceremony.
Davutoglu said that Ghana's opening an embassy was an important step for the relations between Turkey and Ghana, adding that Turkey was one of the countries which recognized independence of Ghana first and opened an embassy there.
Ghana displays a leading position both in relations among African countries and in international relations, said Davutoglu, recalling that Ghana's embassy in Turkey had been closed in 1981 due to economic problems.
Davutoglu said that Ghana was a strategic partner for Turkey.
Two ministers discussed Turkey's opening to Africa
Davutoglu and Ghanaian Foreign Minister & Regional Integration Minister Muhammed Mumuni met in Ankara on Monday.
The two ministers discussed Turkey's opening to Africa, recent situation in Mali and recent developments in Somalia.
Davutoglu said that Ghana had always had an important role in Africa, and it had always had a special place for Turkey.
Regarding Turkey's opening to Africa, Davutoglu said that Turkey's trade with the region boosted, and Turkey was willing to increase the cooperation in defense and defense industry.
Ghanaian president sees Turkey partner
Ghana's President has said that they identified Turkey as a partner in economic and social development.
"The world is keep changing and former powers that were on the top of the world, are experiencing difficulties nowadays. There is a lot of change that is taking place in Africa. Africa is looking for partners in economic and social development and we identify Turkey as a such partner," said Mahama.
Stating that Ghana was the most peaceful and democratic country in Africa, Mahama said, "its location is good to reach African market; use Ghana to reach the rest of the African market. Ghana has recently discovered significant amount of oil and gas. One of the most attractive areas in Ghana is civil engineering, and instruction as well. There is a huge demand for construction, bridges, ports, hospitals and schools. So, there are a lot of rooms for partnership."
Mahama also invited Turkish businessmen to visit and invest in Ghana.
