Ghana and Iran to strengthen relations - President Mahama

BY George Ramsey, GNA
Accra, July 26, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday gave the assurance that relations between Ghana and Iran would be extended to other sectors of development apart from trade and commerce.

"The 70-member delegation to Ghana as a follow-up to my visit to Iran in February this year bears testimony to the fact that both countries are ready to strengthen bilateral and other partnerships," he said.

President Mahama gave this assurance when Foreign Affairs Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif of Iran, called on him at the Flagstaff House, Kanda.

The Foreign Affairs Minister, who is in Ghana as part of his tour of few West African countries, was at the Presidency to announce their readiness to concretise some of the agreements the two countries had signed in President Mahama's visit.

He said apart from trade and commerce that was growing between the two countries, Iran had over the years been pivotal in supporting the quality health needs of Ghanaians through the Iran Clinic in Accra that had helped a lot of residents.

President Mahama called on the Iranian Government to take advantage of the stable Ghanaian economy to invest massively in coming days.

On continental peace and stability, President Mahama encouraged Iran to dialogue with Syria in their peace negotiations in order to make their realm a peaceful territory.

He noted that Ghana is an advocate of peace and would, therefore, lend every support necessary to restore peace to Iran and Syria.

The President said Ghana would also continue to support the international community in its fight against terrorism and oppression.

Mr Zarif, on his part, commended President Mahama for being the first Ghanaian and African sitting President to visit their country after the United Nations lifted sanctions on Iran.

He announced that apart from the support they had previously given Ghana, they would, from this year, add 10 scholarships annually for Ghanaians to study in Iran.

Mr Zarif wished Ghana a successful general election in December.

The delegation would also hold discussions with individual business partners and the entire business community in Ghana to forge partnerships.

GNA