Advertisement

 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo holding discussions with Mr Ban Ki-moon in his office.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo holding discussions with Mr Ban Ki-moon in his office.

Ban Ki-moon commends President for social, economic development

A Former United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, has commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for what he described as the great strides the country has made in its social and economic development under the latter’s leadership.

“I want to congratulate you; under your leadership, your country is making great strides in economic development.

I understand that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that you will have almost seven per cent in annual growth and this is highly commendable,” Mr Ban added.

The former UN Secretary-General, who made the commendation during a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House in Accra last Friday, said Ghana was growing at a higher rate, while many European countries and Korea were only growing at two to three per cent.

Mr Ban, who is a member of the Advisory Board of Africa Netprenuer, was in Ghana to participate in an Africa Netprenuer Awards event held in Accra last Saturday.

He lauded President Akufo-Addo’s leadership role in his capacity as co-Chair of the UN Secretary-General’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advocates, sensitising the world to the need to attain the goals for the betterment of humanity.

Climate change

Mr Ban, who has also been appointed Chairman of the Global Commission on Climate Adaptation, said it had been realised that not much had been done on adaptation, while the climate change phenomenon was disrupting societies and economies.

He, therefore, urged governments and leaders to invest in climate resilient social infrastructure, agriculture, water resources and effective early warning systems to forecast weather changes.

That, he said, would help avoid unnecessary damage and destructions due to climate change repercussions.

He asked Ghana to join the Global Commission on Adaptation, which has China, India, Canada, Ethiopia, Senegal, South Africa, Argentina, Germany and South Korea as members, to address issues on climate change, adding that the membership was only a political solidarity.

Korean Peninsula

On the relationship between his country, South Korea, and North Korea, Mr Ban said efforts were being made to resolve the impasse between the two brotherly countries.

He recognised Ghana’s support for peace, security and stability in the peninsula over the years and expressed the hope that President Akufo-Addo would continue to support the peace process.

Ghana

President Akufo-Addo reminisced the period he and Mr Ban were foreign ministers of their respective countries and how Mr Ban later vied for the position of UN Secretary-General and won.

He said Mr Ban’s marvelous performance as head of the world body had vindicated his (President Akufo-Addo’s) position as former campaign manager of the former.

“We are aware that the framing of the SDGs took place under your tenure as Secretary-General.

We look upon you as the architect of these noble goals which I am now attempting to sensitise the world to,” he added.

He said he had formed private sector groups under the SDGs in Ghana and tasked them to focus on green development.

Attainment of peace

The President said Ghana would continue to support both North and South Korea to find lasting peace and harmony, which he noted were essential for international peace and security, adding: “Ghana will always vote and stand firmly with the Korean people in their efforts to achieve sustainable peace.”

 

Connect With Us : 0242202447 | 0551484843 | 0266361755 | 059 199 7513 |