Author: Beyonce Diamond Kpogli
The Government of the Republic of Vanuatu, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade, has appointed a Ghanaian, Ambassador Prof.Hugh Aryee, as the country’s first Trade Commissioner to Ghana.
The appointment as per section 42 of the Foreign Service Act of 2013, also gives Ambassador Prof. Hugh K Aryee, additional responsibility for West Africa.
According to the Vanuatu Ambassador to the European Union in Brussels, Ambassador Georges Manuiri, the Vanuatu government appointed Prof. Hugh Aryee because he is a seasoned business professional with astute acumen over 27 years in business development, trade facilitation and tourism.
He said the Government of Vanuatu believes his several years of global trade experience will help in exploring and expanding global trade between Ghana, Vanuatu and the world.
In his acceptance speech to the Vanuatu Ambassador to the European Union in Brussels, H.E Ambassador Georges Manuiri, the new Trade Commissioner of the Republic of Vanuatu to Ghana, Amb. Prof. Hugh Aryee, said, he would do his best to ensure there is an improved and strong economic tie with Ghana, and increasing economic exchanges and establishing new relations between businesses from Vanuatu and Ghana, remains, a key priority for his administration.
Adding that, the future looks bright and exciting for business opportunities in Vanuatu and many other trade relations between the two countries.
Ambassador Manuiri, said the Trade Commissioner’s appointment, will play an important role in supporting the Government of Vanuatu through establishing business connections, promotion of trade, tourism, and investment and supporting Vanuatu’s business delegations or dignitaries travelling to assigned jurisdictions abroad.
The Vanuatu National Sustainable Development Plan and Economic Policy Objectives, place emphasis on increasing trade and investment, and access to markets for Vanuatu exports.
The Ministry’s contribution to implementing the Plan is through the strategic appointments of Trade Commissioners after extensive due diligence carried out on its appointed officers globally, of which this appointment equally meets the desired criteria for his appointment.
The Trade Commissioners are prominent business people who can support the government in connecting the right people and potential markets, hence, the choice of Prof. Hugh Aryee.
Vanuatu is an archipelago nation spread across 82 islands situated just between New Zealand and Australia.
Various colonisers, each speaking a different language, relocated to the Melanesian islands in the millennia leading to European exploration.
Vanuatu is most people’s idea of paradise. Still, other than just a vacation destination, it has become a place to live, work or retire. Vanuatu also offers the only Citizenship by Investment Program of its type in the Asia Pacific Hemisphere, where Vanuatu Citizenship is as different as it is relevant to hold.
The new Trade Commissioner’s appointment takes effect from January 2023 and is expected of him to tap into his expertise and reservoir of trade and international experience over the years ensure to the benefit of both countries in bilateral trade, business, cultural diversity enhancement and tourism potential development.
