Ghana hopes for better ties with TT

THE FIRST full fledged Ghanaian trade mission to visit Trinidad and Tobago wants to deepen economic, cultural and commercial ties between the two countries.

Foreign Affairs Minister Knowlson Gift, who received a courtesy call from the 17-member delegation at his Knowsley office yesterday, described the mission as historic. In welcoming the delegation which has been here since Carnival Sunday, Gift said their presence marked a milestone in the evolutionary development in the pace and direction of relations between the two countries. The delegation, led by Hilton John, President of the Ghana/TT Business Chamber, is expected to meet with several Chambers of Commerce and visit petrochemical and industrial estates, before leaving Trinidad on March 13.

Trinidad and Tobago enjoys a favourable balance of trade with Ghana of over TT$1.4 million annually. While it is a small amount, Gift expressed confidence that things would improve following the delegation’s visit. He expressed the hope that the volume and value of trade and investment between the countries would increase. He also said the Foreign Affairs Ministry was looking at the economic and trading possibilities and existing agreements are to be revisited.
Honourary Consul to Ghana, Angela Gouveia, blamed the lack of trade between the two countries on transportation problems. She said to get to Ghana, one had to travel via New York and it was expensive.

John, in his brief remarks, said it was a great experience for the delegation to visit Trinidad and Tobago and he expressed the hope that bridges will be built between the two countries. Another member of the delegation, Fred Oware, said the group had a wonderful experience at the just concluded Carnival and realised that Trinidad is much more than calypso and mas. He said they were committed to forming some kind of joint venture partnership. Today Ghana will celebrate its 46th anniversary of Independence and in observance of the occasion, an art exhibition will be held today at 10 am at the Normandie Hotel.