Germany has pledged massive support for Ghana’s energy and education sector, a way of fostering bilateral ties between the two countries.
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel revealed this after holding a closed-door talks with visiting Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.
According to her, the two key areas were part of the broader issues touched on during their discussions and the need for support was pronounced.
Government has been struggling to meet the energy needs in the country despite various interventions including the use of gas.
Addressing a joint press briefing the two leaders indicated that the talks between them centered not only on Ghana but also on issues that affect the African continent as a whole.
Angela Merkel affirmed how Germany is prepared to support Ghana in the areas of technical and vocational education and renewable energy solutions.
She was optimistic that such support if coordinated would yield maximum benefits especially in the area of energy where Ghana currently is facing huge challenges adding that “for Ghana it is providing electricity and electricity supplies which is of the greatest importance and we have been talking about making contribution towards developing renewable energy.”
She said, “We value the partnership with Ghana and it is a friendly one” saying “Ghana is a good democracy and good partner in West Africa. Our tides in the field of Development Corporation are very close and we will also corporate closely in the economic spheres.”
On his part, President Mahama who expressed gratitude to the Chancellor for the invitation explained how necessary it is for Ghana to collaborate with Germany in enhancing technical education and Energy provision.
“On the bilateral corporation level we have strong corporation in the area of energy and renewable power and KFW is financing several projects in Ghana in the way of energy. We are working with KFW to increase the power we get from solar energy into Ghana’s transmission grid,” he said.
President Mahama further indicated that Ghana is a lower income country, he was expressed that the country is progressing into a middle income status “and we are seeing a strong demand for skilled professionals in terms of technical experience and so we want to see how vocational and technical training can be strengthened in order that we are able to produce more middle level manpower.”
By: Godwin Allotey Akweiteh & Magdalene Larnyoh/citifmonline.com/Ghana
