Press release

Minister for Africa visits Ghana and Cote d鈥橧voire

Visit by FCO Minister focussed on a range of areas including business collaboration, prosperity and security.

From:
Foreign & Commonwealth Office and James Duddridge
Published
8 April 2016
This was published under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government

Foreign Office Minister for Africa, James Duddridge, visited Ghana and Cote d鈥橧voire from 3-7 April 2016 to deepen business collaboration and promote shared interests on prosperity and security. In a wide-ranging visit the Minister underscored the importance of West Africa to UK objectives. He was joined in Ghana by the Prime Minister鈥檚 first Trade Envoy for Ghana, Adam Afriyie MP.

In Ghana the Minister met with President Mahama where he discussed the importance of credible elections. He also attended the official handover of the Dodowa hospital with the President, which was built through a combination of UK Export Finance and UK Trade and Investment support. The Minister also met with other government Ministers where he reaffirmed UK support to Ghana on counter terrorism.

Minister Duddridge also spoke with UK businesses operating in Ghana and launched the 鈥楨xporting is Great鈥� campaign, which presents live exporting opportunities to businesses across a range of media outlets and digital channels.

In Cote d鈥橧voire the Minister laid a wreath at Grand Bassam, the site of March鈥檚 terrorist attack. With President Ouattara and Ivoirian Ministers, he discussed increasing economic ties between the UK and Cote d鈥橧voire.

Following the visit, the Minister said:

I was delighted to be part of the handover of the Dodowa hospital; a truly world class infrastructure project delivered through UK support.

The UK and Ghana share prosperity objectives. Using UK expertise and development assistance we want to drive Ghanaian growth and create opportunities for both Ghanaian and UK businesses.

In Cote d鈥橧voire I was moved to visit Grand Bassam where 19 people were killed and many more injured on a beach in a brutal attack by terrorists. My thoughts are with all those affected.

I look forward to working with Ghana and Cote d鈥橧voire on a range of issues in the future, from increasing trade collaboration to addressing international security challenges.

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Published 8 April 2016