President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has lauded the outgoing Nigerien Ambassador to Ghana, Alhasseini Ousumane, for proving to be a good statesman for his country during his stay in Ghana.
“You have proven to be a very supportive and cooperative Ambassador of your country. You have served your country very well here in Ghana, and this historic relations between Ghana and Niger, which you alluded to, you have done your very best to promote them,” the President said.
He made these observations yesterday when he hosted Dr Ousumane at the Jubilee House, after the Nigerien Ambassador had come to bid him farewell.
Nigerien community
The President acknowledged the number of Nigeriens who have made Ghana their second home.
“We have always welcomed them with open arms and continue to see them as our brothers and partners in the mutual development of our two countries,” President Akufo-Addo said.
The President further disclosed that Ghana’s Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, has descendants who are Nigeriens.
The President noted that the Nigeriens in Ghana, who are normally referred to as Zamramra people, are noted for their commercial trade.
He again said they had and continue to be law abiding community who continue to obey the laws of Ghana and therefore find it easy to live side by side with their Ghanaian counterparts.
Niger President
“This is the basis for the very, very strong relations that I have developed during my presidency with the President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou,” the President said.
He commended the President of Niger for his contribution to the activities of the ECOWAS region.
“His leadership in bringing into being the African Continental Free Trade Area, when he was the AU champion, is one of the most significant things that have been undertaken by the AU since its foundation,” President Akufo-Addo said.
Response
The outgoing Ambassador, for his part, commended the President for the support he offered him during his duty tour.
He admitted that he had learnt and experienced a great deal of the Ghanaian hospitality, and was happy that a large number of the Nigerien community continue to benefit from the Ghanaian hospitality.
He was also grateful to the government of Ghana for the care it offered the over one million Nigerien community in Ghana during the period of the Covid-19.
