"You're governing Ghana well" – Emir of Qatar tells Akufo-Addo

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has praised Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the leadership skills he has exhibited in his 22 months in office. “You are governing Ghana well,” Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani told President Akufo-Addo. According to Sheikh Hamad Al Thani, the fundamentals of the Ghanaian economy, coupled with the prevailing social indicators, points to a good example worthy of emulation by others on the continent. The Emir of Qatar made this known on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, when President Akufo-Addo paid a day’s official visit to Qatar at the invitation of the Emir. Sheikh Hamad Al Thani applauded the conducive investment and business climate being established in Ghana, and was hopeful of forging a strong relationship with Ghana, adding that “there are lots of opportunities that we can do together.” He indicated that the State of Qatar was readying the Qatar Investment Authority, the state-owned holding company that specializes in domestic and foreign investment, to explore opportunities in the areas of energy, tourism, agriculture, security, education, and infrastructural development in Ghana. Commenting on the state of insecurity in the Sahel in West Africa, the Emir assured of military assistance from Qatar to help fight terrorism in countries like Burkina Faso and Mali. He assured Ghana of Qatar’s support in helping to equip Ghana’s security apparatus to deal with the menace. On his part, President Akufo-Addo thanked Sheikh Hamad Al Thani for the invitation to visit Qatar. The President noted that Ghana, as a sovereign country, will not be dissuaded by anyone from pursuing a relationship with Qatar. “We are determined to have a good relationship with Qatar, we value the relationship, and we will continue with it.” As alluded to by the Emir of Qatar, President Akufo-Addo noted that the preoccupation of his government, since assuming office has been to build a strong economy which will give investors the confidence to invest in Ghana, and to deliver improved standards of living for the Ghanaian people. He said government is embarking on an aggressive public private partnership programme to attract investment in the development of the country’s infrastructure. President Akufo-Addo was hopeful that with solid participation from the Qatari Government and its private sector, Ghana can develop a modern railway network with strong production centre linkages that will connect the country to Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, and to Togo. The President also reiterated the presence of several other projects in the areas of roads, water, housing, transport, industry, manufacturing, agriculture, petroleum and gas, and the exploitation of Ghana’s mineral wealth which are being structured to attract private sector financing. He was, thus, hopeful that the respective visits to Ghana and Qatar by himself and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will mark the beginning of a fruitful and productive relationship between the two countries, which will inure to the benefit of their peoples. Agreements Meanwhile, as part of the visit, Ghana and Qatar have signed five memoranda of understanding (MoU) for the establishment of partnerships between the two countries. These are Agreement on for the avoidance of Double Taxation and the prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to taxes on income, Regulation of Manpower Employment in the State of Qatar and Abolishing Visa Requirements for the holders of diplomatic and special passports. The rest are the Establishment of consultations on issues of mutual interest between Qatar and Ghana, as well as Memorandum of Understanding between Qatar Chamber and Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. By editors.3news.com| Ghana