SVG offers scholarships to Ghana

Ghana and St Vincent and the Grenadines have renewed commitments towards enhancing bilateral relations for their mutual benefits.

And, in this regard, the Governments of both countries have agreed to cooperate closely in the training of nurses in specialised areas, according to a statement issued at the end of the February 12-14 maiden session of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Permanent Joint Co-operation (PJCC) in Ghana.

St Vincent and the Grenadines gave a commitment to offer five scholarships to Ghana, while Ghana offered to share its technical expertise in plant medicine with SVG that would allow for joint research in the cultivation of plants for the production of medicines.

The SVG delegation has proposed as well, to sponsor two Ghanaian researchers to survey the various species of plants grown here and to facilitate Ghanaian investment in the local pharmaceutical industry.

The PJCC originated from discussions between Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves when he paid an official visit to Ghana in November, 2018.

During the visit, the technical teams of both countries exchanged views and tabled various proposals, in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, health, education, scientific research, tourism, arts and culture, aviation and investment, which they with a view to enhancing bilateral relations.

Also given consideration, was provision and exchange of technical support in the tourism industry, the establishment of the proposed Africa, Brazil, Caribbean and Diaspora Commission (ABCD Commission), and the production of cocoa and cocoa-related products, as well as root crops such as yam and cassava.

Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and this country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sir Louis Straker, signed the Agreements for Co-operation and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),last week Tuesday.

As a means of boosting tourism between the two countries, it was agreed that skilled Ghanaians in dressmaking and cultural artifacts would assist their local counterparts to sharpen their artistry within the frame work of the MoU.

They also agreed to partner for investment promotion opportunities, and expressed a strong interest in bridging the gap between the African Continent and the Caribbean, by signing a bilateral Air Services Agreement, which is currently under consideration.

Madam Botchwey said arrangements were ongoing for Ghana’s soon-to-be launched national airline to include the Caribbean Region in its routes, while Sir Louis said that SVG was working hard to establish direct air links between the Caribbean and Africa, to facilitate easy movement of people, goods and services.
The Second Session of the PJCC would be held in SVG in 2022.