Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has said his country is ready to do business and deepen relations with Ghana in the areas of investments, job-creation, energy and agriculture, and to build a new Africa.
Mr. Renzi is the first Italian Prime Minister to visit Ghana, and he called for a new vision to investing that is focused on ability and capacity despite challenges such as terrorism, climate change, mass migration, global economic slowdown and emerging technologies.
According to him Italy is passionate about its investment in Ghana, and he expressed excitement on Italy’s contribution to the country’s energy situation.
“I consider as very important the ENI project, which up to 2036 will ensure a very good strategy in energy for this country. For me, the most important field is energy despite the crisis of oil price and agriculture,” he added.
“I consider the next 20 years will bring a big revival in agriculture. Europe forgot about agriculture for a long time, but Europe and Africa can play a pivotal role around it,” he said in an address to parliament.
Mr. Renzi said he will continue working together with Ghana in the bilateral and not only the multilateral vision: “It is important to improve on our bilateral cooperation. If there is any possibility to invest in agro-sector business, Ghana and Italy can work with more determination than in the past. We are ready.”
Prime Minister Renzi minced no words when he urged Europe to change its position on Africa and encouraged fellow European countries to invest more in the continent.
“Europe must change position and invest in a new strategic partnership with Africa. I consider Ghana and Italy can play respective roles in the African and European Unions and encourage this good vision.”Mr. Renzi called on other European countries to invest in Africa in order to send the right signals to future generations “not only in the field of economy, but also culture and diplomacy.”
“Your wealth will be our wealth and your challenges will be shared across our collective efforts in finding solutions that work among the two countries in the spirit of collaboration.
“Europe must invest in Africa in order to send the right message to future generations,” he stated.
The Prime Minister also maintained that it is important to encourage cultural exchanges between European and Ghanaian people.
“Terrorism tries to destroy our lives. We don’t accept this message, but if we decide to fight against this it is crucial we reinforce the reasons for our identity — the commonsense of identity, value, and family. This is important in every part of the world. Europe must invest more in culture and education with determination.”
He lauded the European Union’s decision at a recently held summit in Malta to invest US$1.8m for the ensuing years in Africa.