Ghana, Turkey trade volume reaches $448m in 2011
Economic and trade ties between Ghana and Turkey have been on the rise since the last two years with the deepening of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The volume of trade shot up from $175 million from 2010 to $448 million in 2011, and is targeted to reach one billion dollars by 2015.
Mr Kenan Tepedelen, outgoing Turkish Ambassador to Ghana made this known when he paid a farewell courtesy call on President John Evans Atta Mills at the Osu Castle in Accra, on Wednesday.
Mr Tepedelen has been in Ghana since May 2010.
Relations between the two nations, which started after Ghana gained independence in 1957, saw a dip in 1991, when Turkey closed its embassy in Ghana, citing economic reasons.
However, both nations made efforts to renew and strengthen their ties, and Ankara re-opened its embassy in Accra, and followed it with the posting of a substantive ambassador.
Aside the hosting of a Turkish trade fair in Ghana, and facilitating medical teams on visit to Ghana, Turkish President Abdullah Gul visited Ghana, during which the two nations signed bilateral agreements in the areas of Air Services, Health and Medical Sciences, Military Training and Science, Mutual Abolition of Visas for Holders of Diplomatic Passports and Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of Consultations on Political Mechanism.
Mr Tepedelen expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of Ghana for their co-operation during his duty tour.
He commended Ghana for keeping to the shared values of rule of law and respect for democratic principles.
President Mills said: “We are gratified for the good job done.
“We value the relationship with our brothers and sisters in Turkey. It is quite clear from the progress so far made that our relationship has the potential to grow stronger.”
President Mills said the growing ties have also attracted Ghanaian business people, adding that Government was considering the opening of a Ghana embassy in Turkey.
President Mills and the outgoing Ambassador exchanged gifts.
Source: GNA