Bilateral trade between Ghana and Canada has recorded a significant increase in the past three years, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has revealed.

This increase has also witnessed Canadian investments in Ghana exceeding US$2 billion.

This was revealed by Ms Ayorkor Botchwey in her farewell speech at an event organised in honour of the outgoing High Commissioner of Canada to Ghana, Dr Heather Cameron.

Ms Botchwey said on Wednesday, 9 October 2019 that: “On a more serious note, I need to place on record that Her Excellency Dr Heather Cameron's tour of duty in Ghana has witnessed many impressive dividends, including a record 15% increase in bilateral trade between our two countries over the last three years, and over USD$2 billion of current Canadian investment in Ghana”.

She said: “The Canadian government's contributions to Ghana's extractive, education, energy and agriculture sectors are also impressive and worth commending”.

Below is her full speech:

REMARKS TO BE DELIVERED BY HON. SHIRLEY AYORKOR BOTCHWEY, MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION, ON THE OCCASION OF A FAREWELL RECEPTION HELD IN HONOUR OF H.E. DR. HEATHER CAMERON, OUTGOING HIGH COMMISSIONER OF CANADA TO GHANA, WEDNESDAY, 9TH OCTOBER, 2019

Your Excellency Dr Heather Cameron, High Commissioner of Canada to Ghana;

Your Excellency, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps;

Heads of Missions accredited to Ghana;

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration; 

Supervising Director and Directors of the Ministry;

Invited Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have delivered several statements at farewell receptions, and somehow, I have always assured myself that it will be easier with the next one. But the experience so far is proving to be different. No matter how carefully one crafts a statement, the fact is that it is just not easy to say goodbye to friends.

This is particularly so in the case of Her Excellency Dr. Heather Anne Cameron who has distinguished herself as a worthy representative of her country in Ghana. There is no doubt that Her Excellency Dr. Cameron has won the respect and admiration of many of us within this rather short period of three years that she has been with us. We are therefore gathered today as colleagues, friends, family, loved ones and well-wishers to bid adieu to a warm and pleasant personality whose departure, though unpleasant, cannot be helped.

Your Excellency,

Let me state from the outset that this gathering is not only a 'goodbye', it is also a 'thank you'. Thank you for your commitment and all your hard work towards advancing the interests of the two countries during your term of office, and thank you for the zeal and passion with which you executed your duties as High Commissioner during your tour of duty in this country.

Since presenting your credentials in October 2016, you have worked tirelessly to further enhance the already strong bonds of friendship and cooperation existing between Ghana and Canada. You have been known for your unwavering support for the 'Ghana Beyond Aid' agenda, and for your very active engagement with Government functionaries and institutions. We cannot forget your extensive travels across the country and your interaction with the Ghanaian people. I am actually tempted to believe that you will make an excellent tour guide in Ghana. Perhaps, I should make that recommendation to my colleague in Canada.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On a more serious note, I need to place on record that Her Excellency Dr. Heather Cameron's tour of duty in Ghana has witnessed many impressive dividends, including a record 15% increase in bilateral trade between our two countries over the last three years, and over USD$2 billion of current Canadian investment in Ghana.

I know that Canada is an active partner in the construction of the new port management complex and parking facility at the Tema Port. The Canadian Government's contributions to Ghana's extractive, educational, energy and agricultural sectors are also impressive and worth commending.

In the area of peace and security, the Elsie Initiative was launched in September 2018, with a view to developing measures to overcome barriers to women's participation in UN peace-keeping operations and to make such exercises more sensitive to the differential needs of women peacekeepers. This is very dear to my heart, and I am pleased to note that at the just-ended High-level Week of the 74th UN General Assembly Session in New York, our two countries, together with Zambia, jointly chaired a side event on this important Initiative.

It is also refreshing to note that our two countries continue to cooperate in furthering social intervention programmes and initiatives which contribute to building the capacity of women's rights organisations, addressing early child and forced marriages, strengthening sexual and reproductive health and rights, improving equitable access to quality service delivery of water, sanitation and hygiene, and advancing skills development among the youth.

Your Excellency,

As I have already observed, your tenure as High Commissioner to Ghana has been a productive and successful one, and the records are there to show. Let me, therefore, take this opportunity to express appreciation to you on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana and to wish you every success in your next assignment, which I am reliably informed is in Brazil.

I am sure that wherever you find yourself, you will carry a piece of Ghana with you and promote our country to your compatriots. I am also sure that most of the Ghanaian people whose lives you touched whilst serving in Ghana will always remember you fondly. And I trust that you will never miss an opportunity to visit Ghana wherever you find yourself. You will always be welcomed.

Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

I now have the pleasure of inviting you to join me in a toast to the good health and wellbeing of Her Excellency Dr. Heather Anne Cameron, and to the sustained and deepened bilateral relations between Ghana and Canada.

Thank you all.