Ghana and Venezuela have on Monday signed a bilateral travel visa agreement that permits diplomatic and service passport holders from the two countries to travel to the other visa-free.
The Minister for People’s Power for External Relations of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Jorge Arreaza, who is on a two-day working visit to Ghana and Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries at a brief ceremony at the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
Addressing a joint Press Conference after the signing ceremony, Mrs Botchwey disclosed that the decision by Venezuela to give waiver to the requirement of travel visa for Ghanaian officials traveling to Venezuela will go a long way to boost and deepen south-south cooperation between Ghana and the South American country.
The Minister recalled the help Venezuela gave to Ghana by way of the supply of subsidized oil during challenging times of the country.
She also made mention of scholarships given to some ten Ghanaian students who are currently studying in Venezuela. The Minister identified Ghana’s developing oil sector as one of the several aspects of the economy where Venezuela can be of much help.
She assured that the Energy Ministry of Ghana will be studying a proposed bilateral agreement to that effect which is currently before it for signing after all its modalities have been concluded.
In his remarks, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Mr. Arreaza said, his country is excited to deepen her relations with Ghana.
He indicated that his country is looking forward to tapping into Ghana’s rich knowledge in the area of mining, particularly, gold mining.
Venezuela, he further added, is willing and ready to make available to Ghana all its rich technical know-how in oil exploration to help develop Ghana’s oil sector.
The visiting Venezuelan Minister and his delegation are expected to visit the Kwame Nkrumah Museum and will later hold a meeting with the Chief of Staff, Madam Frema Osei Opare, at the Presidency.
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