Qatar and Ghana enjoy close bilateral relations

The visit of the President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo to Doha, which started on Monday comes within the context of Qatar's keen interest in openness and co-operation with different friendly nations.

His Highness the Aimr Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani met the Ghanaian President on Tuesday at the Amiri Diwan to discuss bilateral relations and means to bolster them in addition to a number of key issues of common concern.Relations between Qatar and Ghana are strong, close and covering various economic, political and commercial aspects. The Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1981 through non-resident representation. In March 2018, a resident Qatari ambassador was posted in Ghana and in May Ghana's embassy in Doha was opened.The two countries are bound by a set of signed agreements and memorandums of understanding that regulate their relations, including an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of financial evasion in 2007, agreement on the establishment of a trade and investment committee between the two countries in 2004, memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries in 2004 and an agreement between chambers of commerce of Qatar and Ghana to establish a joint business council. Exchanging mutual visits between the two countries confirms their intention to promote and develop these relations and to advance them to a higher level in the interests of the two countries and their people, thus contributing to security, peace and prosperity in the various countries of the world.In the framework of mutual visits between the two friendly countries, and as a part of an African tour, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani paid an official visit to Ghana in December 2017, during which he discussed with President Nana Akufo-Addo ways to strengthen bilateral relations and promote co-operation in the fields of energy, infrastructure, air transport and food security. The Amir also held a formal talks with Ghanaian president at the Presidential Palace in Accra, during which they discussed ways to boost bilateral relations and how to cement co-operation in various fields for the benefit of both countries and people. The Amir and the president of Ghana also witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding between the governments of the two countries, including the investment promotion and protection agreement, air services agreement and two memorandums of understanding in the fields of youth and sports.In November last year, the Amir met at the Amiri Diwan with president of Ghana and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their visit to the country to attend the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE 2017). The meeting discussed the relations between the two countries and means of supporting them in various fields in addition to a number of topics of common interest.During the visit, the president of Ghana met Qatari businessmen in Doha and invited them to invest in his country and benefit from the encouraging investment climate and opportunities in the fields of agriculture, mining, water and other sectors, stressing the abundance of fertile lands, water and livestock. The Ghanaian president also underlined his country's interest in strengthening co-operation with Qatar in the gas industry among other sectors. During his participation in the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in September 2017, the Amir met the president Nana Akufo-Addo at the headquarters of Qatar's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, where they discussed bilateral relations and how to develop them in various aspects, especially in the fields of economy and investment, in addition to discussing regional and international developments.In May 2018, Qatar Chamber (QC) held a meeting with a visiting Ghanaian business delegation led by Finance Minister of Ghana Ken Ofori-Atta, to discuss investment opportunities in several sectors including infrastructure, mining, food and tourism. The Ghanaian Minister of Finance said that his country and Qatar have strong and distinguished relations of friendship. He pointed out that his country's economy, which is witnessing a rapid development, welcomes all foreign investments, especially Qatari ones, calling on Qatari businessmen to explore the investment opportunities available there.In the framework of mutual visits between the two countries, the vice-president of Ghana visited Qatar in 2004 and 2005 and the Ghanaian Minister of Commerce and Industry visited Doha in 2001. The former president of Ghana John Dramani Mahama visited Doha late 2014, when he co-chaired with the Amir a session of official talks that dealt with bilateral relations between the two countries and means of enhancing them in addition to a number of issues of mutual concern. Ghana, officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located along the Gulf of Guinea and Atlantic Ocean, in the sub-region of West Africa. Spanning a land mass of 238,535 km2, Ghana is bordered by the Cote d'Ivoire in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, Togo in the east and the Gulf of Guinea and Atlantic Ocean in the south. Ghana's population of approximately 28mn spans a variety of ethnic, linguistic and religious groups.Ghana is rich in natural resources such as fertile land, lakes, rivers, forests, wildlife and fish. It is the second largest producer of gold in Africa after South Africa and the second largest producer of cocoa. It is rich in diamonds, manganese and bauxite.According to this year's reports of the World Bank and African Development Bank (ADB), Ghana is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Some studies say Ghana is the world's next oil spot and its oil reserves are promising. Ghana has a wide range of attractions including United Nations heritage sites; ancient forts, castles and mosques; heritage villages and wildlife reserves. It government looks forward to making tourism a major source of national income.