President Nana Akufo-Addo has inaugurated the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Ghana, a think tank whose aim is to advance Ghana’s foreign policy.
Speaking at the inauguration on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, President Akufo-Addo noted that the aims and objectives of Ghana’s foreign policy derived from the now-entrenched values of attachment to democracy, respect for individual liberties and human rights, the rule of law and the principles of democratic accountability.
“Our over-arching national goal is to develop rapidly, within a democratic framework, a modern, industrialised economy, which engages with the world on the basis of things we make, and not on the export of raw materials, and which creates a society of opportunities for our young people, enabling them to live productively in dignity,” the President said.
Ghana, he said, has, over the last two and a half decades, managed to build an enviable reputation as a peaceful and stable country, and a beacon of democracy in our region and on the continent.
“It is in our collective interest that we do everything we can to preserve this hard-won reputation, and attract the investments that will facilitate the structural transformation of our economy, so central to the future prosperity and stability of our country. Our foreign policy is an extension of our aims, achieved through the vehicle of good neighbourliness, which seeks friendship with all nations who seek our friendship and partnership in furtherance of these aims,” President Akufo-Addo explained.
To this end, the President stated that the Council on Foreign Relations is expected to act as facilitators in improving policy-making and execution, and as key agents of social change.
The President urged the Executive Council of CFR Ghana, composed of a diverse group of retired diplomats, experienced lawyers, and media experts, to reach out to businessmen, economists, industrialists, technologists, and academics in the society to create an unrivalled, intellectual and a practical think tank whose programmes, projects and studies will permit Ghana to address her challenges effectively.
President Akufo-Addo further urged CFR Ghana to imbibe the traits of excellence and solidarity in their engagements, and, whilst respecting their independence, he urged them not shy away from knocking on the doors of government should they require any assistance in any area of co-operation, which Government is in a position to grant.
–
By: citinewsroom.com |Ghana