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The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has congratulated Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her “historic” appointment as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.
In a letter addressed to the new WTO head, President Akufo-Addo expressed pleasure at the fact that her election was by consensus of the General Council of the WTO, making Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala “the first woman and first African to occupy the office of Director-General of the Organisation.”
This, according to the President “is a tribute to black women the world over, particularly to African women”.
The President described her appointment as one that comes with a time when Africa has actually taken steps to liberalise intra-continental trade through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, and the challenges caused by COVID-19.
“I am of the firm conviction that you are eminently qualified to lead the Organisation in these momentous times, and I assure you of the full support of the Government of Ghana in your new role,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo, in a letter dated 17th February, sent a congratulatory message to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, on the appointment of Dr. Okonjo-Iweala to her new role.
He assured the people of Nigeria as well as its Government of the “support of the Government of Ghana in her new role.”
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was confirmed as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation on Monday, becoming the first woman and also the first African to lead the global trade body.
Okonjo-Iweala was appointed by the WTO after the last remaining rival candidate, South Korean profession minister Yoo Myung-hee, withdrew from the race. She will resume her new post on March 1, initially for a term that runs up until August 2025.
Source: Ghana Waves