Honourable Abla Dzifa Gomashie Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Honourable Members of Parliament, Ministers, Nananom, Niimei (Niimèi), Naamei (Naamèi), Togbe (torgbé), Members of the diplomatic corps, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, in your ranks and capacities and all protocols observed. Dear friends from the media, Françaises et français du Ghana, chers compatriotes,
After nearly 10 months in Accra, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you this evening to the celebration of our National Day.
Honorable Minister, first and foremost, I would like to convey my gratitude to the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, and to his government, for the warm welcome I have received and enjoyed since my arrival in Ghana as ambassador and as a very special bag carrier assistant to my dear Abla.
I would equally like to thank all those who have helped me settle into my new role.
Dear friends,
While I originally hoped to host all of you on this special evening at the Residence de France, the recent weather conditions led me to take the decision to move this long-awaited celebration here at the Movenpick hotel. And as we gather tonight, my heart and thoughts are truly with all the Ghanaian families who have been affected by the recent floods.
Honorable Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen, dear guests,
Every year, our national day gives us an opportunity to rally around the founding values of the French Republic: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité (“liberty, equality, fraternity.”). These words are more than just a motto, they represent an ideal and an aspiration in a fragmented, complex and uncertain world that is increasingly losing its bearings. Nevertheless, together with Ghana, we share the values and principles they embody.
In addition, the 14 of July soiree is also the occasion to take stock of the past year and set a course for the challenges ahead.
Accordingly, allow me to highlight the excellent bilateral relationship between France and Ghana, championed at the highest level by our presidents.
As a result, France and Ghana co-chaired on April 7 the “One Health Summit” in Lyon and together charted a course for a global reform of the health sector.
Then, on April 8, President John Dramani Mahama was hosted in Paris on an official visit where he discussed with President Emmanuel Macron all the issues of mutual interest that shape our growing partnership.
On the 11 and 12 of May, our two presidents met in Nairobi at the “Africa Forward Summit,” an event that illustrates the renewed rapports between France and our partners across the African continent.
During these discussions, both presidents addressed issues related to health, innovation, artificial intelligence, investments, employment, security, peace and of course, economy.
Finally, on June 18 and 19, France was invited to participate in the conference organized by Ghana on “reparations.” This is an important issue and as stated by President Macron during his intervention on that conference, we will continue to voice our unwavering commitment and work closely with Ghana and the African Union.
Dear Honorable minister,
One of the priorities of the government of Ghana is investment and social and economic growth for the Ghanaian people. In the sphere of economic relations, I would like to commend the dynamism of the French business community in Ghana, the Economic Department at the French Embassy, the Agence française de développement (AFD), the France-Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, France’s foreign trade advisors, and, of course, the over sixty French companies which contribute to Ghana’s economic development and growth while helping to enhance the attractivity of our nation.
French companies currently represent 2.5 billion euros in investments, and slightly under 70,000 direct and indirect jobs in Ghana; not forgetting the initiatives carried out across the country by the Agence française de développement, with the support of the European Union. Just to name a few areas of priority for Ghana, these investments cover a wide range of sectors: agriculture—including irrigation systems—energy, and entrepreneurship for the youth and for women.
Our partnership is also notably active in the areas of cultural, academic, scientific, and linguistic cooperation, as well as innovation. In this regard, I would like to commend the work of my team in the Department of Cooperation and Cultural Action.
And so, the cooperation between France and Ghana is expanding in the field of artificial intelligence through the AI for Sustainable Development project (AI4SD), which gathers researchers, faculty, and students from prestigious institutions and universities in both our countries. Recently a memorandum of understanding was signed between Paris-Saclay University and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in a move to boost scientific partnerships between France and Ghana. Together, we can play a leading role in this major revolution of the 21st century.
In the same vein, let me say how delighted I am with the growing number of Ghanaian students choosing to study in France, and with the development of the France Ghana Alumni Association (FAGA). This also helps to give a dynamic edge to our relations.
Honorable minister,
As a French ambassador, it is always a pleasure to witness the growth of the French language in a country that is not originally a French speaking country. Actually, I need to mitigate that statement since Ghana is now a full member of the International Organization of La Francophonie. In any case, the vitality of the French language in Ghana is actively fostered by a vivid community that includes: the Lycée Français International d’Accra, a network of five Alliances Françaises (particularly those in Accra and Kumasi, which are celebrating their 70th anniversary this year), the program for teaching French in military settings, a major project entitled “Promotion of the French Language in the Workplace” and most importantly, all Ghanaian citizens who are passionate about French language.
Dear friends and partners,
This evening is a wonderful opportunity to take stock of our shared achievements and successes. From that perspective, there is one project I wanted to mention because it focuses on youth-led entrepreneurship and innovation in the cultural and creative industries: I am referring to the “Creation Africa Ghana” project. Honorable minister, as the minister of tourism and culture, I am sure that you will be very interested.
Last month, France awarded grants ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 euros to 15 Ghanaian entrepreneurs to develop their businesses. In parallel, several Ghanaian professionals from the animation industry also attended the Annecy Animation Film Market.
Tonight, you’ll have the opportunity to meet some of the beneficiaries of our programs. They will be waiting for you at the “14 July Market” in the foyer. Please feel free to stop by and say hello!
Dear Partners,
About 2 years ago, the French Embassy expanded to accommodate a defense mission, which has strengthened the defense and security cooperation with Ghana. This has resulted in a balanced relationship, built on absolute respect for our partners’ expectations—for example, with regard to maritime security issues.
Mes chers concitoyens, Dear French in Ghana,
Concerning your wellbeing and security issues, I wish to state that it is, of course, a matter that we are monitoring closely with the Ghanaian authorities. I would like to assure the French Community here that your safety remains an absolute priority for the Embassy.
On that note, I urge those who have not yet done so to register on the consular database. This will allow the Embassy to maintain close ties with you and ensure that you will be able to participate in elections.
Finally, I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to the embassy staff who organized this event, as well as the entire Team France. Thank you for your daily dedication and for the efforts you deploy in strengthening our relationship with Ghana.
I would also like to thank the sponsors who have supported us in organizing this Bastille Day celebration.
And last but not least, I would like to extend a special thanks to the Movenpick hotel for having welcomed us for this significant and eagerly awaited evening in their splendid hotel, even if not as splendid as the residence de France of course. Pardon my chauvinism.
Honorable Minister, dear friends, I wish you a wonderful Bastille Day celebration, during which I hope, we will see our national team, les bleues, victorious. Sorry Angel.
Long live France, long live Ghana, long live Franco-Ghanaian friendship.
Just to definitely end this speech, I would like, on a very personal note, to celebrate the most francophone and Francophile Australian diplomat in Accra: Happy Birthday Berenice.
Thank you for your attention.
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