Turkish Ambassador calls on Asantehene

The Turkish Ambassador addressing the Asantehene, INSET: A cross section of the business community at the meeting

The Turkish Government has put plans in place to strengthen trade ties and ensure a cordial  relationship between her and Ghana, the Turkish Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency, Kenan Tepedelen, has observed.

One of such moves, according to the Ambassador, is the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Ghana, the establishment of a Turkish Consular in Accra, and the proposed opening of another Consular in Kumasi.

His Excellency Tepedelen, who disclosed this in Kumasi when he paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, said the aim was to position Turkey as an ideal business destination for Africa, and Ghana in particular, and to restore the once cordial relationship between his country and Ghana, which had been severed since 1982.

The visit to the Manhyia Palace, according to the Ambassador, was to pay homage to the Asantehene, and to officially inform him of his government's decision to open a Consular in Kumasi to facilitate trade, and promote businesses between the two countries.

His Excellency Tepedelen noted that relationship between the Asante Kingdom and that of Turkey dates back to the time of the Ottoman Empire, and remarked that his government appreciates the efforts of the Asantehene in alleviating poverty and improving educational development in the country.

The Asantehene, on his part, commended the government of Turkey, and the foresightedness of the Ambassador to open a new Consular in the region, stressing that it would go a long way to enhance business and trade between Asante and that of Turkey.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said he had lots of respect for the Turkish government, because of its consistent foreign policy, and especially the position it adopted on the recent disturbances in Libya.

The Asantehene indicated that there were lots in common between Ghana and Turkey, in terms of its political and democratic governance.

He said both countries shared similar objectives in the areas of improving socio-economic development for its citizens, and expressed the optimism that such South-South Co-operation would inure to the benefits of its people.

The Asantehene stressed that Ashanti Region abounds in rich mineral resources, and is also endowed with human resource and infrastructure that would help facilitate business transactions between Ghana and Turkey.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Ambassador to Ghana has met with the business community in Kumasi, in a bid to open the Turkish market, and trade opportunities available in the country to people interested in doing business in Ghana.

A cross-section of the business community, including those in agriculture, construction, engineering and manufacturing, participated in the meeting, which was held at the Golden Tulip in Kumasi.

The meeting was under the auspices of Starbow Ghana Limited, an aviation firm operating in Kumasi, and was facilitated by the Honorary Consular, Mr. Duodu Kumi.

Addressing participants at the meeting, His Excellency Tepedelen disclosed that the value of trade relations between Ghana and Turkey, as in 2009, stood at $175 milion, and rose to $290 million by the end of 2010.

He, however, revealed that the figure was expected to increase to $400 million by the end of 2011.

The Turkish Ambassador also indicated that his country's exports value to Ghana was expected to reach $115 million by the end of this year, a figure, which he said, clearly indicated that business relations between the two countries had been smooth and beneficial.

He indicated that the Turkish government takes much interest in Ghana's cocoa and gold, and stressed that with the ratification of business agreement between the two countries, lots of mutual benefits were expected to be accrued.

His Excellency Tepedelen, therefore, urged the Ghanaian business community to take advantage of the booming economy in Turkey, to help develop their trade and businesses.

He stated that his office would soon open a new consular in Kumasi, and expressed the hope that it would offer the opportunity for each and every Ghanaian to seek information on developments in Turkey, in order to make decisive decisions.

The Ambassador further stressed that his government would offer business opportunities in agriculture, infrastructure, building, and construction amongst others.