He said it formed part of the vision of the President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, whose aim was to contribute towards the development of Africa while creating a favourable environment for the people of Equatorial Guinea in other African countries.    

The Ambassador said this during the media launch of the International Student’s Guest Centre (ISGC) in Accra to make the programmes of the Centre known to Ghanaians and beyond.        

Mr Bela Abaha said, President Nguema Mbasogo, who is also the founder of the Parti Démocratique de Guinée Équatoriale (PDGE), was poised to champion prudent initiatives to strengthen the country’s relationship with other African nations including Ghana. 

Amongst such initiatives, he said, was the establishment of the ISGC, an ultramodern hospitality, events and learning centre dedicated to providing world class hospitality and accommodation services to Equatoguineans who would like to study in Ghana.

The multibillion student’s guest centre, which was entirely financed by the president, he stated, was also in honour of the late Jose Maria Nsue Ndje, an Equatoguinean student who suffered a tragic death during his study in Ghana.   

The deceased, Jose Maria Nsue Ndje was the son of the Third Vice Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea, Alfonso Nsue Mokuy.   The ISGC which has 126 furnished rooms, with the capacity for 168 guests and a 208 guests’ capacity auditorium which doubles as a cinema hall, was, thus, named after Jose Maria Nsue Ndje. 

Mr Julian Adomako-Gyimah, the Executive Director of the ISGC, said the centre was also opened to all interested individuals and corporate bodies who would like to experience “world class” hospitality services in the areas of accommodation, tourism and conferences.  

“Our mission at ISGC is to provide an efficient and holistic experience in the hospitality business. And our vision is to become the standard in hospitality in the sub-region,” he said. Mr Adomako-Gyimah hailed the project, saying   it would create job avenues for Ghanaians, which would contribute to government’s efforts to combat unemployment.   

“ISGC is an equal opportunity employer and we believe in investing in our people. About 40 per cent of our current staff are locals; from Abokobi and its catchment area.     

“We believe in the need to first create jobs within the community in which we are situated,” the Executive Director said, and added “charity begins at home.”     He assured that, he would work tirelessly with his staff to ensure the proper maintenance of the place and commended the staff   of the Embassy of Equatorial Guinea for contributing towards the realisation of the project.       

On his part, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister of Education lauded President Nguema Mbasogo, for supporting government of Ghana to create enabling environment for international students studying in Ghana.     He stated that Ghana could not achieve her industrialisation programmes  without  the support of other countries and donor agencies, including the Equatorial Guinea.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment towards championing prudent frameworks to protect the rights of all persons living in Ghana.  “I urge you to deepen your confidence and trust in our educational system and in the national economy as you think of putting up more of this facilities in other parts of the country."    Dr Opoku Prempeh said the Education Ministry would allow effective stakeholder consultation, partnership and participation in national development activities, including tourism and hospitality.  

Mrs Esther D. Ofori, the Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Accra, who was the Guest of Honour for the event, applauded President Nguema Mbasogo, for executing the project in Ghana.  She said the development was the result of the cordial relationship that existed between Ghana and Equatorial Guinea, adding that other African countries should emulate the move. 

The ISGC which was inaugurated in Accra on January 7, 2017 by President Nguema Mbasogo also has seven conference rooms with breakout areas; a salon; an infirmary, a laundry, a modern restaurant and a spacious lawn for activities such as weddings and birthday celebrations. 

The ISGC which is a 30-minute drive away from Kotoka International Airport, also has two state of the art tourist buses to facilitate tours around the country.