GHANA and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have renewed their more than five decades old relation at the latter’s 89th National Day celebration observed here in Accra.
Graced by the Vice President, Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia and other government functionaries, also in attendance was the diplomatic community.
Ghana and the Gulf country have collaborated in the areas of education, trade amongst others over the period of the friendship.
At a reception ceremony on Wednesday, Meshal Hamdan Al-Rogi, the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Ghana, recommitted his country to the relationship between the two countries.
“The Kingdom (of Saudi Arabia) will continue to work hard on strengthening economic, educational, social and bilateral ties with Ghana.
“Together, with the help of God, Saudi Arabia and Ghana will have a stronger partnership based on our shared interests of economic prosperity, peace and stability,” he said to loud applause from the gathering.
On what support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was giving to Ghana, Mr Al-Rogi mentioned scholarship programmes in engineering, pharmacy, medicine and veterinary science for Ghanaian students in Saudi Arabian universities.
Other supports, he said, include the proposed construction of a medical university in the Northern Region, construction of 42 senior high schools across the country, and a US$20 million loan facility for the provision of health facilities in the Upper East Region.
The Minister of Inner City and Zongo Development, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, in a statement said the prospects for a viable cooperation between Ghana and Saudi Arabia were still wide open.
“Ghana will continue to work with the Government and people of Saudi Arabia to further strengthen the existing relations between our two countries to secure the well-being and prosperity of our people and in particular to deliver on the transformational vision of Ghana Beyond Aid,” Dr Hamid said.
He lauded the Saudi government for introducing the electronic visa regime which made the visa acquisition of Ghanaian pilgrims to the country hustle-free and faster.
Dr Hamid reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to world peace with a firm belief in the adage that “a threat to peace anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere.”
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
