Canadian convoy Lauds Ghana

TRUDY KERNIGHAN, the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, has observed that Ghana is the highest recipient of Canadian development assistance in the world.
She said Canada had also invested in measures that support effectiveness, efficiency and accountability in priority areas such as parliamentary oversight and civil society participation.
“The Canadian International Development Agency’s (CIDA) bilateral program in Ghana focuses on two priorities: food security and children and youth, with an emphasis on water and sanitation,” she added.
Speaking at a reception held to mark Canada Day, Mrs. Kernighan lauded Ghana for her strong commitment to democracy, respect for the rule of law and her pursuit of good governance.
“Canada admires the commitment of the government of Ghana to integrity, transparency, the respect for human rights and its devotion to people of this proud nation,” she added
Mrs. Kernighan also said that 80% of Canada’s support is currently delivered through the government of Ghana’s systems and programs.
She added that Canada continues to have a special focus on Northern Ghana and is committed to supporting efforts to address peculiar development challenges in that part of the country.

Minister of Health, Joseph Yieleh Chireh and Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mrs. Trudy Kernighan raise their glasses to commemorate the day, looking on is Mr. Mark Giralt.



She further noted that Ghana’s governance record had opened the doors to investment opportunities and financial growth. “Today about 30 Canadian companies have opened offices and established operations in Ghana,” she said.
She again stated that the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) had played a pivotal role in developing many projects in Ghana. “With Canadian and international business partners, the CCC is collaborating with Ghana on a 132 megawatt thermal power plant project at Takoradi. It is also working in various infrastructure areas with great expectations for new projects to be implemented in the coming year,” she added.
The Minister of Health, Joseph Yieleh Chireh also noted that Ghana is proud to associate herself with Canada in the pursuit of global peace and security, particularly in the area of international peacekeeping.
“It is pertinent to recall our complimentary efforts together with other contributing nations to transform United Nations Peacekeeping into a more responsive, multi-disciplinary venture that not only monitors peace agreements, but builds on such momentum, to usher in post-conflict infrastructure for the restoration of democratic institutions,” he stated.
He also noted that Canada through CIDA has over the past five years injected $2 billion into various sectors of our economy, such as food and agricultural sector development, growth and poverty reduction, environmental conservation and also assisted in addressing malnutrition in the three Northern regions.
The Minister also reiterated government’s commitment in sustaining true democracy and the rule of law.
“We will continue to take proper measures to forestall any occurrences that may be detrimental and threaten to derail the peace that Ghanaians and foreign guests are enjoying. We will endeavour to continue to prove to the whole world that Ghana is indeed the gateway to Africa,” he assured.