Although Ghana’s economy faces difficulties, there are chances for bilateral commerce – German Finance Minister

The German Finance Minister, Christian Lindner has assured President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that the German government would do whatever it can to support West African countries deal with problems, especially on the economy and instability in some nations.

“We know that the stability and security in this region of Africa are essential for our security in Europe and we see economic challenges in Ghana but opportunities for bilateral trade and this is why we are here,” he said when he paid called on President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House, Accra last week.

President Akufo-Addo used the opportunity to explain how insecurity in some neighboring West African countries affects Ghana.

He noted that there are some 4000 Burkinabe Citizens seeking refuge in Ghana following attacks by suspected terrorists and militants in Burkina Faso. “We are directly in the line of fire.

“Burkina Faso is our northern neighbour and to have the jihadist menace there, which is very real, I think in the last six weeks some 4000 young people from Burkina Faso have come to take refuge here in Ghana and those are the ones that the Refugee Board can officially count.

“And usually, in these matters, you have to add another third of the numbers coming in, unaccounted for, so we are talking about substantial numbers of people who are already coming southwards as a result of the difficulties in Burkina Faso to Ghana.

“So we have a direct important strategic interest in doing whatever we can to bring this insurgency to an end and help in stabilizing the government in Burkina Faso and in that exercise you have been very useful and helpful to us,” he was quoted by the GNA as saying.