Italy-Ghana Relations Have Been Good – Otumfuo to Ambassador
The Monarch of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has expressed satisfaction with the bilateral relations between Ghana and Italy.
His Majesty made this known during a visit by the Italian Ambassador to Ghana, HE Laura Ranalli, to the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on May 21, 2025, to introduce herself.
Appointed in December 2024, the envoy reported to duty only two months ago and has presented her credentials to President John Dramani Mahama.
“It was our desire to come and pay you a visit,” she told the King at the Palace.
Investments
HE Ranalli outlined the series of projects Italy is spearheading in Ghana in the digital, education and health sectors.
A recent project, she said, was the inclusion of Ghana in the Mattei Plan, a project with an initial funding of 5.5 billion euros in grants, credits or guarantees to foster economic and strategic partnerships with African nations and institutions.
“This year, the President of the Council of Ministers decided to include Ghana in the Mattei Plan. The Mattei Plan is our partnership with 14 African countries, and Ghana is one of them.”
She also announced to His Majesty a public/private partnership project in the agriculture sector, which seeks to expand to the Ashanti Region.
The project was first rolled out in the Volta Region.
“Here, there is private investment and public infrastructure. We would also like to invest here in the Ashanti Region. The CEO of the Ghanaian Company is an Italian citizen. He would like to discuss the possibility of investing here in the Ashanti Region.”
Satisfaction
Otumfuo expressed his satisfaction with the European country which has invested US$ 7 billion in the Ghanaian economy.
The Occupant of the Golden Stool also acknowledged Italy’s contribution to the construction of key infrastructure, including the Tema Oil Refinery and the Akosombo Dam.
“We have good relations…Italians who have lived here are welcomed by their brothers and sisters in Ghana.”
Affirmatively responding to the agriculture expansion programme, Otumfuo said the Agric sector is the backbone of the economy.
His Majesty underscored the need for investment in agricultural technology to boost production, add value to raw materials and export to countries like Italy for the balance of trade.
This, Otumfuo recognised, would create employment.
Proposal
His Majesty further proposed investments and collaboration in the education sector.
Otumfuo highlighted the need for technical support at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
