By Hannah Dadzie
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey paid a working visit to the Kingdom of Spain on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Albares.
During the visit the Foreign Ministers discussed matters of mutual interest at the bilateral and multilateral levels, pledged their commitment to strengthen existing bond of friendship between the two countries and explore new areas of cooperation, particularly, in trade, investment, tourism, defence, counter-terrorism, aviation, renewable energy, among others.
As part of the working visit, Madam Ayorkor Botchwey also held discussions with the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu I Boher. The discussions centred on capitalising on tourism as a national development and education tool.
The Spanish side reiterated their commitment to facilitate capacity-building programmes for stakeholders in the sector. Both sides further pledged their commitment to cooperate within the context of UN Tourism as members of the Executive Council.
The highlight of the visit was an announcement by the Spanish Foreign Minister of a pilot project on circular migration, through which some Ghanaians would be brought to Spain to work for a limited period, particularly, in the agriculture sector with the possibility of expansion and extension in the future. The visit also culminated in the signing of two significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between Ghana and Spain on Tourism and another on Cooperation in the field of Sports.
