The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has expressed dissatisfaction about the way Ghanaian nationals are treated in the Gulf especially in Qatar.
Speaking to the new Qatar Ambassador to Ghana, Mohammed Jaber Al-Kuwari, at the Flagstaff House on Monday, President Akufo-Addo said he wants the issue to be resolved to make the relationship between the two nations “more fruitful”.
“There is also a matter of concern to us directly and that is the treatment of Ghanaians in Qatar,” he said.
“I’m sure you know about it and the concerns that we have about the way Ghanaian nationals who go to work in Qatar are treated.
“It’s been a constant complaint and we think that our good relations between our two countries in enhancing our good relations, you can do something about it so that those complaints can stop,” he complained.
He added that when that is done, the two countries can have “much more fruitful, much more productive relationship without there being an issue”.
The president also expressed his readiness to strengthen ties with Qatar because of the good relationship that already exists.
He said the two countries now have a good opportunity to work together because Qatar is a member of the oil producing countries and now that Ghana has also started exploring oil, there is the need for collaboration.
“We are also very interested in developing good relations with Qatar, you are an important member of the oil producing nations and we are now coming with our small oil and I must say that already provides us with the opportunity to cooperate. We are looking for investors around the world that can participate in the development of our petroleum industry and I believe that Qatar can contribute to the expansion of our petroleum industry”
Regarding issues of conflict in Qatar and its neighboring countries in the Middle East, President Akufo-Addo said it is a matter of concern and that the region (Africa) is working within its continental borders to speak with one voice to those issues.
He seized the opportunity to welcome the ambassador and to wish him well in his stay.
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