Guyana and Ghana cement friendship
─ sign bilateral agreements covering several areas of mutual interest
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Guyana and Ghana further strengthened their relationship today, as the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two states signed bilateral agreements covering several areas of mutual interest.
The signing follows bilateral talks between President David Granger and Ghanaian Head of State, Nana Akufo-Addo. The Ghanaian leader along with his delegation is in Guyana for a state visit.
Director- General (DG) of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon told the media moments after the signing that one of these areas include lending technical support to the oil and gas sector.
“The President of Ghana made a very clear offer that they are prepared to assist Guyana with technical cooperation with the personnel and so on to assist with the development of the oil and gas sector,” Harmon stated.
The DG explained that, “what they did was to commit to paying salaries and transportation to get them here and what we will need to do is find accommodation for them.” This, he expressed is a “very clear commitment,” on the part of the Ghanaians, to the development of Guyana’s oil and gas sector.
Harmon also disclosed that agreements were signed on the abolition of visa requirements for citizens of the two states. Persons who are the holders of diplomatic, official and regular Guyanese passports will be able to travel to Ghana and likewise Ghanaian citizens can come to Guyana without the requirement for a visa.
“In the initial stages, they will be entitled to at least 90 days without having to renew, but after 90 days then there will be a requirement for a renewal based on the laws of the respective countries,” the DG expounded.
Additionally, agreements on trade and industry were signed as the West African territory expressed interest in Guyana’s timber and rum industries.
Diplomatic relations between Guyana and Ghana were officially established on May 14, 1979.
Images: Keno George