The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, has stressed the need to enhance cooperation between Ghana and Iran for the mutual benefit of both countries.
He also emphasised the need to strengthen the business cooperation between the two countries to ensure economic growth.
The Minister made the statement when a delegation from Iran led by Dr Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesperson and Deputy Foreign Minister paid a courtesy call on him at his office on Wednesday.
He said Ghana was one of the peaceful and stable countries in the West African sub-regions with the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) headquarters being stationed here.
“Iran can therefore use this platform to promote trade among the 1.2 billion people in Africa and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $3 trillion,” he added.
Dr Awal proposed the establishment of an Iran-Ghana Business Council to promote agro-businesses, aviation, tourism and trade which could generate about $350 million revenue every year.
The council, he said, should be situated in Ghana as a centre of trade between Iran and other African countries.
The Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran,Dr Khatibzadeh, expressed his country’s commitment to build economic and cultural partnerships which would help promote a mutual understanding between the two countries.
“We are not just here for trade, but to also seek friendship, and build mutual relationship and understanding between us,” he added.
He suggested two projects on artistic and cultural relations that the two countries could undertake to expand the corporation between Ghana and Iran.
DrKhatibzadeh extended an invitation to the Minister to lead a delegation from the tourism sector to attend the inauguration of the Joint Economic Commission which was expected to come off on May 27, 2022 in Iran.
He indicated that the forum would be used to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between his outfit and the Ministry.
He recommended an exchange programme dubbed ‘Cultural Week Celebration’ where various artists from Ghana could perform at a musical concert and an exhibition of food, handicrafts and other cultural artefacts would be organised.
BY VIVIAN ARTHUR
