Accra, Ghana – Ghana’s long-held ambition to become a full member of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) is nearing fruition, following a key visit by the West African Representative of the OIF, Amb. Thi Hoang Mai Tran.
Amb. Tran’s two-day technical observation visit, which concluded on May 14th, 2024, aimed to assess Ghana’s preparedness for full membership. During her visit, she met with Amb. Hannah Nyarko, Coordinating Director in charge of Political & Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
“Amb. Tran’s presence signifies a major step forward for Ghana’s 18-year journey as an Associate Member,” Amb. Nyarko said in her welcome remarks. “We are confident that Ghana’s application for full membership will be approved at the upcoming OIF Summit in Paris this October.”
Ghana’s decision to seek full membership reflects a strategic shift towards promoting the French language. This move is expected to deepen cultural ties, expand trade opportunities with neighboring Francophone countries, and contribute to Africa’s overall integration agenda.
Amb. Tran expressed her delight at Ghana’s decision, highlighting its potential to strengthen cooperation between the country and the OIF. She praised Ghana’s commitment to the OIF’s core values of peace, human rights, and the rule of law. Additionally, she acknowledged Ghana’s valuable experience in peacekeeping and democratic governance, which would be an asset to the OIF membership.
The meeting was attended by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Education and the Presidency who are part of the committee overseeing Ghana’s bid for full membership.
