On Friday, February 16, 2024, Ambassador Prof. Hugh Keku Aryee, the Vanuatu Trade Commissioner to Ghana, began an official one-day visit to the Republic of Vanuatu’s Parliament House.
The Speaker of the Vanuatu Parliament, Rt. Honourable Simeon Seoule Davidson, greeted Ambassador Prof. Hugh Aryee.
During his welcome speech, Mr. Seoule Davidson expressed his happiness about the visit of Ambassador Prof. Hugh Aryee, noting that it was historic because it was the first time Vanuatu, and especially the Parliament, had hosted a delegation of such importance from Africa.
The goal of this visit and the meeting that followed was to investigate potential cooperation and opportunities between Ghana and the Republic of Vanuatu.
At the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State of the African Union (AU), on Saturday, February 17, 2024, the President made the call while delivering the keynote address on the topic of “Establishing African Union Financial Institutions in the Context of Africa’s Agenda for Global Financial Architecture Reform.”
Vanuatu, he said, is proud of its shared African history, especially the Melanesians’ ancestry.
He acknowledged the wide-ranging nature of the Trade Commissioner’s activities and the enormous opportunities they would present to Vanuatu, and he praised Ambassador Prof. Hugh Aryee’s contribution to fostering trade and economic development between Ghana and West Africa.
He was also hopeful that the visit would strengthen cultural exchanges, promote mutual cooperation, and create new business opportunities.
As for Ambassador Prof. Hugh Aryee, he thanked Mr. Seuoe Davidson for the cordial welcome and shared some of his initiatives.
He emphasized the significance of his contribution to the promotion of Vanuatu throughout the continent and in West Africa.
He also spoke about how well the VACONGHA 2023 fair, which was intended to highlight Vanuatu’s goods and enterprises, was held in Accra.
Ambassador Prof. Hugh Aryee emphasized the need for streamlining the required procedures for foreigners visiting Vanuatu for business, investment, and tourism. He urged Vanuatu authorities to address the issues with visas that many Ghanaians and Africans encounter when attempting to travel to the country.
He invited the Vanuatu Parliament to Ghana to investigate potential business, trade, investment, and tourism opportunities.
As a sign of the goodwill between Ghana and the Republic of Vanuatu, Mr. Seoule Davidson gave gifts to Ambassador Prof. Hugh Aryee to end the meeting.
