Akufo-Addo bemoans high number of youth crossing the Sahara for ‘better’ life in Europe
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has bemoaned the high numbers of young people engaged in illegal migration.
The president said, “Africans taking distressing risks across the Sahara and around the Mediterranean trying to reach a better life in Europe, whilst we strive to provide the youth with the right environment in Africa, which will enable them to enhance their skills, receive appropriate training and have access to digital technology and enhance economic opportunities.”
Mr Akufo-Addo said this during the visit of the Austrian Chancellor to Ghana, Karl Nehammer, the first of an Austrian Chancellor since bilateral ties began between the two countries at the Jubilee House in Accra.
He revealed that the Austrian Chancellor and his delegation have reiterated their determination to champion the need for humane treatment of illegal migrants as well as the protection of both their human rights by international law both in Austria and in the European space.
Our discussions also centred on the threats of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, coupled with the effects the COVID-19 pandemic is having across the world.
On the situation in Ukraine President Akufo-Addo, explained that “the reason why Ghana led the fight for the liberation of the African continent from colonialism and imperialism and became of the five initiators of the historic Non-Aligned Movement is because of our history which has always been one against great power domination of the affairs of the world.”
Therefore, he continued, “It is this same principle, that led us to vote in the United Nations General Assembly in favour of the motion condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and this is a position that we continue to hold. Great powers of whatever make, including friendly ones trampling on small nations are not something we will welcome and within our modest means, we will register our disapproval of that. “
According to Chancellor Nehammer, Austria will work towards setting up an embassy in Ghana to assist and further deepen and bilateral engagements.
President Akufo-Addo further disclosed that “a major outcome of our meeting today, is the affirmation of our commitment to collaborate further on tackling emerging security threats within the region, particularly on issues of terrorism, border security and maritime barriers. We also have resolved to work together to promote democracy in the region, and reiterate and affirm our mutual stance against unconstitutional changes in government.”
He stated that “Ghana has also called on Austria to lend its support to the African Continent Free Trade Area, whose Secretariat is located in Accra. The AfCFTA intends to link fifty-four (54) markets, covering 1.3 billion people with the combined GDP of some 3 trillion United States Dollars.”
He added that “by 2050, it will cover an estimated 2.5 billion people, and have over a quarter of the world’s working-age population. Investment and business opportunities offered to the Austrian private sector, by the infrastructure, required to link these markets more effectively, are enormous.”