He said the Asian country which, according to legend, received its first palm seedling from Ghana, was now producing the greatest amount in the world while Ghana was struggling with few tonnes.

The President said it would therefore be imperative to learn best practices from Malaysia to increase the country’s production level and generate revenue from the sector.

President Akufo-Addo made these remarks yesterday at a ceremony to outdoor Mrs Akua Sakyiwaah Ahenkorah, a career diplomat, as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Malaysia.

He urged the high commissioner to utilise her experience and expertise to create a relationship that would facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills in palm oil production from Malaysia.

President Akufo-Addo entreated Mrs Ahenkorah to foster good political and economic relations with Malaysia and help intensify the economic exchanges between the two countries.

He said Malaysia was a country that got independence the same year as Ghana, but had outpaced Ghana in many areas and added that Ghana would benefit a lot of good relations with Malaysia.

On the credentials of his appointee, President Akufo-Addo said he worked with Mrs Ahenkorah when he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs about a decade ago.

“I am in the position to testify to your competence and ability, loyalty to the nation, and capacity for hard work. So far as I am concerned, you are very fit for this appointment,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo said his appointee had the competence to represent the country and deepen the political and economic relations between Ghana and Malaysia.

He advised her to promote the country as a country of stability and democracy and entreated her to work with the staff at the high commission in the spirit of cooperation.

“Cooperation is half of the basis of having a successful stay,” President Akufo-Addo told her appointee.

Mrs Ahenkorah, on her part, thanked the President for the confidence reposed in her and pledged to work to improve the relations between Ghana and Malaysia.

By Yaw Kyei