David SASSOLI, EP President welcomes Nana AFUKO-ADDO, President of Ghana, in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. In a statement during the formal sitting, Nana AFUKO-ADDO mentions the COVAX program, the emergence of the new variant Omicron in South Africa, the migration issues and climate change.

statement

Strasbourg

meeting

visit

formal sitting

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

EU - Ghana (T)

AKUFO-ADDO, Nana

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Nana AKUFO-ADDO, President of Ghana

Title: David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Nana AKUFO-ADDO, President of Ghana

External shots. Arrival of Nana AKUFO-ADDO, President of Ghana. Welcome by David SASSOLI, EP President, Strasbourg, France, 14/12/2021, (5 shots)

Handshake between David SASSOLI, EP President and Nana AKUFO-ADDO, President of Ghana. National and European anthems, Strasbourg, France, 14/12/2021, (7 shots)

Internal shots, corridors: David SASSOLI, EP President meets Nana AKUFO-ADDO, President of Ghana, Strasbourg, France, 14/12/2021, (2 shots)

Internal shots: Protocol room, David SASSOLI, EP President meets Nana AKUFO-ADDO, President of Ghana. Golden book signature and meeting. Strasbourg, France, 14/12/2021, (5 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Nana AKUFO-ADDO, President of Ghana, It has been a sad experience for us in Africa to be caught up in the vicious vaccine politics that engulfed the world once the vaccines were ready for the market. We remain grateful for the donations of vaccines through platforms such as COVAX, which was good enough to send its very first consignment anywhere in the world to Ghana.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nana AKUFO-ADDO, President of Ghana, The world should be grateful to the South African scientists, whose knowledge and expertise and genomic sequencing enabled them identify the new variant. Plaudits, not the condemnation of their peoples should have been their push. Why is there not a travel ban imposed on the Netherlands, but against South Africa? One might ask. I'm a firm believer in the statement that no one is safe until everyone is safe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nana AKUFO-ADDO, President of Ghana, It is quite likely that for many Europeans today, the image that is raised in their minds and the mention of Africa and Africans is a problem of border and immigration control in the EU.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nana AKUFO-ADDO, President of Ghana, There's a lot we have to do to develop our countries and improve the conditions to make them attractive as places to stay and not flee. But maybe there's something new in the EU might also do to contribute to finding a solution to the problem. I would like to suggest that a fairer trading system between Europe and Africa that would lead to a faster development rate in Africa might offer a less painful route.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nana AKUFO-ADDO, President of Ghana, The problems of the environment and climate change in particular, can only be properly addressed when we're able to deal with poverty. A hungry, homeless jobless person has not got much at stake in the battle. We want to fight for the survival of the planet. It is also not likely that the underdeveloped parts of the world will want to serve as a forest reserve or museum to save the planet for the developed, prosperous world.