Mr Frédéric Clavier – French Ambassador to Ghana
The outgoing French Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Frédéric Clavier, has described Ghana as a beacon of democracy on the African continent and urged all Ghanaians to continue to uphold the tenets of social equality.
He has also eulogised Parliament and the Speaker, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, for strengthening the unity in the country in spite of the diversity that existed in it
.Mr Clavier was speaking during a call on Mr Adjaho to bid him farewell after a duty tour of the country.
“Ghana is a good example on the continent of what democracy can achieve,” he said, and added that due to the fact that the country was a shining example, France had decided to use it as a “link” between Francophone and Anglophone West Africa.
He said France appreciated with gratitude the work of Parliament in strengthening democracy and said under the leadership of Mr Adjaho, Ghana’s law-making body had become stronger and more independent.
“You are an excellent Speaker of Parliament,” he said.
Mr Clavier urged Ghana and other West African countries to sign the European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and said it would be beneficial to all parties.
He said Ghana would remain a priority for him wherever he would be posted to by the French government.
Speaker
Mr Adjaho was full of praise for Mr Clavier and added that he had, during his duty tour, strengthened the relationship between the two countries.
He said Mr Clavier had also built a relationship with and helped to strengthen Parliament.
“We are the people’s representatives so if as a diplomat you deal with the people’s representatives, you move the relationship to another level,” he said.
He appealed to Mr Clavier to remain a “spokesman” for Ghana wherever he would go and continue to work in Ghana’s national interest although he would soon cease to be the ambassador of his country to Ghana.
“We hope whoever will replace you will work as hard as you did. We know you have done a lot. Continue to deepen the relationship between our two countries. We will have fond memories of you,” he added.
