We Strive Vigorously To Prevent Youths From Crossing The Mediterranean Sea To Europe In Search Of A Better Life - Prez Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo
Regarding the problem of migration, Ghana's President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed concern about the large number of young people who are participating in the practice.

The president made the following statement: "Africans are taking distressing risks across the Sahara and around the Mediterranean trying to reach a better life in Europe, whilst we strive to provide the youth with the right environment in Africa, which will enable them to enhance their skills, receive appropriate training, and have access to digital technology and increase economic opportunities."

This was remarked by Mr. Akufo-Addo during the visit of the Austrian Chancellor to Ghana, Karl Nehammer. This visit was the first of an Austrian Chancellor to Ghana since the beginning of diplomatic ties between the two nations at the Jubilee House in Accra. Karl Nehammer was the first Austrian Chancellor to visit Ghana.

He disclosed that the Austrian Chancellor and his team have reaffirmed their resolve to advocate for the necessity of compassionate treatment of unlawful migrants as well as the protection of both their human rights and compliance with international law, both in Austria and throughout the European space. This was done in accordance with the statement made by the Austrian Chancellor earlier in the meeting.

Our conversations also concentrated on the potential dangers posed by a Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as the global implications of the COVID 19 pandemic that is currently sweeping the globe.

Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, President Akufo-Addo stated that, "the reason why Ghana led the fight for the liberation of the African continent from colonialism and imperialism and became one of the five initiators of the historic Non-Aligned Movement is because of our history, which has always been against great power domination of the affairs of the world." Akufo-Addo made this statement in response to a question about the situation in Ukraine.

As a consequence of this, he proceeded by saying, "It is this same principle, that led us to vote in favor of the motion in the United Nations General Assembly condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and this is a position that we continue to hold." Trampling on little nations by great powers of any kind, including friendly ones, is not something we will appreciate, and we will communicate our displeasure of that to the best of our limited abilities.

In order to provide assistance and further deepen the bi-lateral ties, Austria will reportedly work toward establishing an embassy in Ghana. Chancellor Nehammer made this announcement.

In addition, President Akufo-Addo said that, "a major outcome of our meeting today is the affirmation of our commitment to collaborate further on tackling emerging security threats within the region, particularly on issues of terrorism, border security, and maritime barriers." This was a big takeaway from the meeting that took place today. We have also agreed to cooperate with one another in order to spread democracy throughout the area, as well as to restate and reaffirm our shared opposition to changes in government that violate the constitution.

He made the following statement: "Ghana has also called on Austria to lend it's support to the African Continent Free Trade Area, whose Secretariat is located in Accra." The AfCFTA plans to connect fifty-four (54) markets, which will serve a total population of around 1.3 billion people and have a combined gross domestic product of about 3 trillion United States dollars.

He went on to say that "by the year 2050, it will have over a quarter of the world's working age population and will have covered an estimated 2.5 billion people." The private sector in Austria stands to gain enormously in terms of both investment and commercial prospects as a result of the infrastructure that will be necessary to link these markets in a more efficient manner.