Western Regional Minister Dr. Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah has paid a courtesy call on the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Ibok-Ete Ibas at the Nigerian House in Accra.
Addressing the High Commissioner, Hon. Darko Mensah emphasized the many similarities between Ghana’s most resourced region, the Western Region, and Nigeria, and the need to formalize their relationship for mutual benefits.
The minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Takoradi used the opportunity of the meeting to officially invite H.E Ibas to the 2023 edition of the annual National Coconut Festival, which will be held in Takoradi between the 26th and 28th September, 2023. Nigeria is the highest buyer of Ghana’s coconut, most of which come from the Western Region.
He further extended a hand of invitation to Nigerians through the High Commissioner to spend Christmas in Takoradi at the biggest masquerade festival in Ghana.
He also through the office of the High Commissioner has invited Nigerian investors to look out for opportunities in the region to invest, particularly in rice cultivation, as Ghana aims for rice sufficiency, as Nigeria has almost succeeded at, through the exploits of Hon. Abraham Dwuma Odoom.
The Western Regional Minister was in the company of the Regional Chief Director, Mr. Frederick Agyeman, Regional Director of Agriculture, Mr. John Gyimah MMDCE’s of Effi Kwesimintsim, Hon. Kojo Aquah, Ellembele, Hon. Kwasi Bonzoh, Jomoro, Hon. Iris Arde, Nzema East, Hon. Dorcas Amoah, and Advisor to the minister, Mr. Charles Cobbina.
Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E Ibok-Ete Ibas on his part expressed delight for the Western Regional Minister’s decision to choose Nigeria for the sort of visit on the key subject matter. He however bemoaned how Africa is generally yet to properly take advantage of its many natural resources for prosperity.
He intimated that the details of the meeting had been noted for action back in Nigeria, assuring that he was going to be present at the International Coconut Festival in Takoradi, with as many stakeholders as possible in the industry.
H.E Ibas noted that Ghana was already a major destination for Nigerians in December, he assured that the High Commission was going to do its best to market Takoradi as a destination for Nigerians to explore, encouraging the ministry to do well to intensify marketing in that regard. He further encouraged the minister to take steps to make it easier for Nigerians to be able to fly directly to Takoradi from Nigeria, without having to make a stop in Accra.
He was confident that in the near future, the Masquerade Carnival could be held in Nigeria, and then Takoradi could host its own edition of the Calabar Carnival.
