Press Releases

The President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received credentials of the High Commissioner of the Republic of Ghana to the Republic of Cyprus,  Ms Hannah Ama Nyarko, stationed in Tel Aviv, during a formal ceremony held at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday, May 7, 2019.

Presenting his credentials, High Commissioner Nyarko, speaking in English, said:

“Your Excellency,

I have the honour to convey to you fraternal greetings from His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana. I also convey the warm wishes of the People of Ghana to the people of the Republic of Cyprus.

Since the establishment of formal diplomatic ties between Ghana and Cyprus in 1989, our two countries have maintained cordial bilateral relations which have been underpinned by the shared values of respect for the rule of law and order, democracy and good governance. Our two countries have also maintained cordial relations at the multilateral level, through our shared commitment to the principles of the United Nations, the Commonwealth and other International Organizations.

Your Excellency,

Our two countries also share a desire to improve the well-being of our peoples, and in recent years have each embarked on progressive policies that have contributed to growing our economies in order to attract the needed investments for sustainable economic growth.

In Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on assumption of office on 7th January, 2017, instituted programs and initiatives that are aimed at transforming the economy of Ghana from being largely a producer and exporter of primary products to a value-added industrialized and a more diversified economy. They are also aimed at rejuvenating and strengthening the private sector as the engine to drive the country's economic growth in all sectors of the economy - including in agriculture, health, education, infrastructure, transport and tourism - and ultimately to enable the private sector to be the primary employment generator to help address the challenge of unemployment in the country. Reforms in the banking and financial services sectors have also been undertaken to boost the growth of the private sector.

These initiatives are bearing fruit and have resulted in GDP growth from 3.4% in 2016 to 7.4% in 2018 and a reduction in inflation from 15.4% at the end of2016 to 9% in January 2019, the lowest in six years, among other positive growth indicators, making Ghana to become currently, the most attractive country for Foreign Direct Investment in West Africa. ln addition, in March this year, Ghana exited from its bail-out program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which it started in 2015. A lot remains to be done and Government of Ghana is determined to continue to undertake reforms that will ensure macro-economic stability. Ghana is also a stable and peaceful country, and this has helped businesses to flourish.

Your Excellency,

Cypriot investors will therefore find a conducive business environment in Ghana and I encourage them to partner with Ghanaian investors and businesses. Cypriot investors can also use Ghana as a base to launch into the ECOWAS market of about 350 million people, taking advantage of the ECOWAS Protocols.

Your Excellency,

Ghana has been following with great interest and admiration the strides that your country, since 2013, under your leadership, has made in transforming its economy into one of the fastest growing economies in the European Union, buoyed by foreign direct investments in several sectors. The educational sector is one such area and I would like to acknowledge the study opportunities that have been granted several Ghanaian students in Cypriot educational institutions to enhance their knowledge and skills, in various discipline s and professions for the benefit of their motherland. I look forward to engaging with these universities to discuss possible collaboration between them and Ghanaian universities.

Ghana also lauds your tireless efforts towards a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus Problem and welcomes, in particular, the decision taken recently at the 26th February 2019 meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader held under the auspices of the United Nations to facilitate greater interaction between the two communities. Ghana wishes to reaffirm its principled support to the efforts for the resumption of negotiations under UN auspices for a solution to the Cyprus Problem on the basis of International Law and in line with the UN Charter and the relevant United Nations resolutions.

May I also assure you, Your Excellency, that I will work assiduously to deepen our relations and the bonds of friendship that exist between our two countries and Peoples for our mutual benefit.

I thank you Mr. President.”

Receiving the credentials, the President of the Republic said:

“Your Excellency,

It is with distinct pleasure that I receive today your Letters of Credence appointing you as the new High Commissioner of the Republic of Ghana to the Republic of Cyprus. I would like to wish you success in your mission and to assure you that my Government will provide you with every possible assistance you may need in the performance of your high duties.

The course of the Republic of Ghana has provided the world with inspiration, as your country became the first of African colonies to gain independence and in recent years as pillar of stability within the African continent. Our long-standing friendship and mutual understanding is enhanced by our comparable historical experiences. It is also firmly anchored on our shared principles and values. Guided by our shared adherence to effective multilateralism, we also cooperate fruitfully in the context of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations and other International Organizations. 

I am certain that during your tenure as the Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana, the relations between our two countries will thrive and additional opportunities will unfold that will bring our peoples even closer together.  

Within the European Union also, Cyprus will continue to support the strengthening of the relations and developing the cooperation between the EU and Ghana as well as with West Africa as a whole. 

Your Excellency,

The Republic of Cyprus highly values Ghana’s consistent support to our efforts to reunify Cyprus. We continue to ask of you to follow your principled position based on international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions on Cyprus.

Your Excellency,

With a renewed mandate by the people, my top priority remains none other than addressing the unacceptable current state of affairs with the continuing Turkish occupation of 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, since there is no doubt that lasting peace and stability can only be achieved through the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus Problem.

To this end, on numerous occasions, I reiterated in the clearest terms to the UN Secretary-General, our partners in the EU, the Permanent and non-Permanent Members of the Security Council and the international community in general, that I remain strongly committed to resuming the negotiating process.

What is of course required is to create those necessary conditions that will allow the dialogue to resume on the basis of good will and constructive stance from all stakeholders, particularly by the Turkish side, in order to safeguard the positive outcome of the negotiations.

Taking this opportunity, I wish to remind that the failure of the Conference on Cyprus in July 2017 was due to Turkey’s insistence on its long-standing position in maintaining the continuation of the anachronistic system of guarantees, the unilateral right of intervention, and the permanent presence of Turkish troops.

I also wish to remind that our side submitted comprehensive written proposals for each and every one of Mr. Guterres six-point framework, including on a new security architecture that would replace anachronisms and the strategic aspirations of third countries against Cyprus.

Having said the above, at the same time we should also not ignore the remaining significant differences on the other chapters of the Cyprus Problem.  Differences that can be easily resolved by adopting and respecting what is considered as our obligation: The European acquis.

It is only through adhering to these fundamental principles which determine that a member-state of the United Nations and the European Union can only be considered as truly independent and sovereign if it is free of any third country dependencies, that we can truly establish the conditions for prosperity and peaceful co-existence between all the citizens of Cyprus, in an environment of safety and stability.

As regards the current stay of play, the Special Envoy appointed by the UN Secretary – General, Ms. Jane Holl Lute, has held four separate meetings with all parties involved with the aim of agreeing on the “Terms of Reference” as to the methodology of a new negotiating process.

My most important political aim has always been, and will continue to be, to reach a viable, functional and comprehensive settlement, one that will safeguard an independent foreign policy, committed to European democratic values. The present status quo is not a sustainable option.

It is for this reason that, in response to the encouragement from the Secretary-General for any new input that could prove useful in bringing the sides closer, I proposed that we discuss the decentralization of the exercise of powers, beyond those safeguarding the union and cohesion of the Federal State and functionality of the government, aiming towards a more effective decision-making process, in line with the non-encroachment and subsidiarity principles.

This would allow us to present a more viable and functional settlement, since on the one hand it would help minimize the disruption in the daily lives of the citizens of both communities and on the other hand it would lead to solving the contested issue of effective participation and the insistence for a Turkish Cypriot positive vote in any federal institution / body / organ.

I truly wish that both our Turkish Cypriots compatriots and Turkey will respond positively to the new prospect that is unfolding again upon us, taking into account, in a comprehensive manner and without being selective, the provisions set by the Secretary-General at the Conference in Crans-Montana. At the same time, it is fundamental, for them to not insist on provisions which would adversely affect the sovereignty and independence of a united Cyprus and would establish a dysfunctional federal state.

On my own behalf, I wish to assure, once again, of my determination to work tirelessly to reach a comprehensive settlement that will finally reunify our island after 44 years of division, ensuring conditions of safety for the future generations of Greek and Turkish Cypriots, without any third country military troops or guarantees.

A settlement that will satisfy the genuine desire of our people, especially of the younger generations, to live together and peacefully co-exist, collaborate and prosper in a European country which fully respects their fundamental human rights and freedoms.

Excellency,

As regards the economy, following the severe economic crisis of 2013, Cyprus has achieved a return to positive growth rates since 2015. It is not an exaggeration to say that what has been achieved in a period of just a few years, is nothing short of a remarkable recovery, confirming the resilience and strong foundations of Cyprus’ economy and the excellent prospects of its key productive sectors. We currently enjoy a growth rate of around 3.8%, one of the highest in the EU, while macroeconomic forecasts project a robust growth of more than 3% in the years to come.

Furthermore, we have achieved consecutive balanced budgets, with primary surplus, while unemployment, which in 2013 had risen to 16%, has dropped to almost 7% and is expected to be reduced even further.

The banking system, re-focusing its operations and fully adhering to the strictest international transparency and compliance regulations, is now based on a stronger and healthier base in terms of capitalization, liquidity and profitability. Remarkable progress has been achieved with respect to non-performing loans as well.

In addition, we are pursuing significant reforms, amongst others, in the public administration, the welfare and health care system and in tax administration, while, simultaneously, we are enhancing the position of Cyprus as a competitive, stable and fully transparent business and investment destination, through enhancing our tax and legal frameworks and providing incentives for new entrepreneurial activities.

The positive course of the Cypriot economy, as well as effective actions in the banking sector have strengthened the confidence of investors and of International Credit Rating Agencies, which is reflected by a number of successive upgrades, currently classifying Cyprus at the investment grade.

Even though Cyprus has yet to reach its full potential in terms of economic growth, I strongly believe that, as a result of the strong commitment and the joint efforts of the private and public sector alike, we are on the right track.

Our plan is to remain focused on maintaining and broadening the conditions under which surpluses and high growth rates can be generated, to continue promoting structural reforms and improving the country’s business environment.

Your Excellency,

In welcoming you to Cyprus, I would kindly request you to convey to His Excellency President Nana Akufo-Addo, and to the friendly people of the Republic of Ghana, my warmest greetings and a message of sincere friendship and solidarity.”

(ML)