Turkey’s target is to increase the trade volume to $1billion by 2020 and the country has, therefore, been encouraging their companies to invest in Ghana.

The Turkish Ambassador to Ghana, Madam Nesrin Bayazit, announced this at the launch of the “Turkish Culture and Cuisine Week” last weekend.

She said Turkey was willing and doing her part in contributing to Ghana’s development agenda.

“Therefore, we are ready to cooperate with all Ghanaian institutions as well as the private sector,“ she assured.

Cultural dimensions

Madam Bayazit said now in addition to the week-long Turkish celebration, which offers ‘a Taste of Turkey’, they had added a cultural dimension to their relations, adding that the Turkish culture was their reflection.

The ambassador was happy that visitors were going to have the opportunity to experience Turkish culinary, renowned for its diversity of taste and uniqueness, presented by Turkish chefs from C?ra?an Kempinski Hotel in ?stanbul.

She explained that cuisines were also mirrors which reflected the history of a society, saying that Turkish cuisine was a fusion of diversity stemming from its historical heritage, which makes use of rich variety of natural ingredients, leading to a unique mixture of East and West.

In addition to the culinary aspect of the Turkish week, she was happy that they had artists to demonstrate a few traditional Turkish art such as carpet weaving, marbling and calligraphy.

 She noted that historically Turkish tribes were among the earliest carpet weavers and said carpet weaving was one of the most ancient crafts of the Turks, and for centuries, women had played a pivotal role in their beautiful products.

Cordial relations

The Ambassador was happy to note that Turkey and Ghana enjoyed close and cordial relations and both valued their cooperation.

Since the establishment of their embassies in Accra and Ankara in 2010 and 2012 respectively, she said they had had three presidential visits between the two countries.

“These visits paved the way for the enhancement of our bilateral relations and collaboration,” she stated.

She said the latest visit was that by His Excellency the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an last year, which provided further impetus for the expansion of cooperation between Turkey and Ghana.

Madam Bayazit said they were very grateful and honoured with the presence of the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and his wife, the Second Lady, Mrs Samira Bawumia.

She also extended her heartfelt gratitude to Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, its General Manager, Mr Manish Nambiar, and the staff of the hotel for their tireless efforts towards organising the celebration.

The ambassador was also very grateful for the sponsorship provided by their companies, Aksa Energy, Karpowership Ghana, Arda Group and the Turkish Airlines, the flagship carrier, which will soon be flying from Accra to Istanbul and vice versa with wide body aircrafts.

She also thanked the members of the Council of State, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Niimei, Naamei and Nananom, as well as her colleague members of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of international organisations, members of the Turkish Community, among other dignitaries.

Dr Bawumia

Dr Bawumia emphasised that Ghana and Turkey had enjoyed very good relations and was confident that it would continue to further deepen.

He congratulated the Turkish Embassy and the entire Turkish community for the week-long clebration.