Turkish Ambassador Calls On Simon Osei-Mensah
The Turkish Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Ozlem Ergun Uluesen, on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, paid a courtesy call on the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, at the Office of the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council.
The visit, among other things, is to deepen bilateral relationships between the two countries, with much emphasize on how to increase Turkish investments in the Ashanti Region, for economic benefits of both nations.
The visit formed part of an already existing bilateral relations between the countries with Ashanti region in focus, due to its history as a vibrant economic hub in the West African Sub-Region.
Areas that Turkey wants to explore further included: Tourism and Culture, Agriculture, Education, construction and Trade.
BACKGROUND:
The Turkish Government, through its Embassy in Ghana, wants to have a rather stronger investment presence and visibility in the Ashanti Region.
Under this new friendship and in furtherance to deepening investment partnership, the ARCC will periodically meet with investors from Turkey under the auspices of the Turkish Embassy to brainstorm on how to take advantage of new business opportunities and investment in the region.
TURKISH AMBASSADOR:
According to the Turkish Ambassador, the Ashanti Region remains critical in the development of the entire country, considering its centrality and with its tourism and culture opportunities, adding that there is the need to explore these potentials to grow the country.
Particularly on Tourism, Madam Ozlem Ergun Uluesen, expressed her government’s willingness to collaborate with the region, to explore tourism-related opportunities for socio-cultural and economic benefits of both countries.
She said globally countries were diversifying their economies and the tourism sector had been widely viewed as an alternative game changer.
H.E noted that there are greater opportunities that both countries can benefit from, assuring that her office will collaborate with the ARCC to increase the investment in the region.
Describing Ashanti as peaceful and serene for business and investment, the Turkish Ambassador to Ghana, added that her country will focus of building its investment base in the region, while it continues to sell the region to its business community in Turkey, to invest in Ghana and particularly, Ashanti Region.
ASHANTI REGIONAL MINISTER:
On his part, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Simon Osei-Mensah recounted the socio-economic and cultural relationship which he noted had existed between the two countries since the early 1960 till date.
The Regional Minister said that Ghana has greatly benefited from the investments from Turkey government which had aided the country’s drive to economic emancipation.
While expressing the region’s appreciation to the Turkish government, Mr. Osei-Mensah intimated that the corporation between the countries should move beyond importation to making
Ghana their base in industrialization investment.
According to the Regional Minister, the region has all the supporting pillars for business, citing the centrality of the region as vital and conducive for effective business transaction.
He assured Madam Ozlem Ergun Uluesen of government’s commitment to collaborate with the Turkish Government to explore areas that will build the economic base of both countries.
By: Michael Ofosu-Afriyie
