Scene from the Discussion.
At present, the Danish Embassy is involved in a comprehensive process that will lead to the adoption at political level in Denmark of a so-called Country Policy Paper. The Country Policy Paper is a political document that will guide relations between Denmark and Ghana for the next five years.
The Embassy has established an outline (or synopsis) which has been approved by Ministry of Foreign Affairs at working level.
The outline states a vision of Ghana being a country in transition, with significant progress, but also challenges and uncertainties. While there is a decreasing need for traditional development assistance, there are as well better opportunities for commercial cooperation and a solid foundation for cooperation on certain political issues. Against that backdrop, the vision for Denmark’s relations with Ghana is a broader strategic partnership, involving political cooperation, development assistance, trade, investments, research, and culture. Three overriding objectives are promotion of shared values, increased commercial cooperation and promotion of sustainable, green and inclusive growth.
While this text has been undergoing a public hearing in Denmark, a consultation process has been facilitated in Ghana by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana.
At a roundtable meeting 10th of April at the Institute, the subject of discussion was the political dimension of the cooperation between Ghana and Denmark. Issues raised concerned the political culture of Ghana, ethnicity, the chieftaincy institution, human rights, and peace and security threats and challenges.
The economic and commercial dimension of the Danish-Ghanaian relationship was discussed at the IEA April 16th. The main issues debated were Ghana’s status as a lower middle-income country, competitiveness, cost of credit, infrastructural challenges, jobless and uneven growth, the need for a national development strategy, economic and commercial partnership, and Danish business and trade opportunities in Ghana.
Both consultations were very fruitful, inspiring and informing, due to the impressive representation of civil society, academia, financial institutions, and business sector, as well as members of government and parliament.
