Addis Ababa: Foreign Affairs Minister Taye Atske Selassie has discussed with his Maltese Counterpart, Ian Borg, to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

FM Taye had a fruitful meeting with Ian Borg, Minister of Foreign, European Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Malta, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Minister’s visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties and fostering cooperation between the two nations.

Accordingly, discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and exchange of views on issues of common concern, it was indicated.

Ambassador Taye congratulates the Government of Malta for its Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) chairmanship.

He also appreciated the government of Malta for playing a positive role in multilateral forums including the UN Security Council by taking a reasonable and balanced position on pressing global peace and security issues.

During the visit, Minster Borg engaged in high-level meetings with key Eth
iopian government officials including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, to explore opportunities for further collaboration and partnership.

This discussion would allow deepening the understanding and friendship between the people of Ethiopia and Malta.The two countries are working together to enhance their cooperation in various fields. They have also signed Memorandum of Understandings on aviation, tourism, and diplomatic training.

It was recalled that Ethio-Malta Investment and Trade Promotion Forum was held on 12 March 2024 in Addis Ababa where 30 Maltese companies and 150 companies from Ethiopia took part in the joint business forum.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The Minority Women Caucus in Parliament has condemned some derogatory remarks allegedly made by Mr Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the New Patriotic Party Ashanti Regional Chairman, against Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the running-mate to the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Mr Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, was said to have made the remarks to the effect that: ‘Prof Opoku-Agyeman was secretly married to Mr Mahama and that she originated from the Northern Region, not the Central Region.’

At a press conference in Parliament House on Monday, Madam Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe, the Deputy Minority Whip and Vice Chair of the Female MPs Caucus, gave Mr Antwi-Boasiako a seven-day ultimatum to publicly retract and apologise to Prof Opoku-Agyemang and all women in Ghana.

‘The same Ashanti regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, made a similar derogatory statement against the good Professor on July 10, 2020, when Mr John Dramani Mahama first nominated h
er as the NDC running mate in the 2020 general election,’ she noted.

‘This is unacceptable, and as women in leadership, we condemn these disparaging comments from Mr Bernard Antwi-Boasiako.’

Madam Cudjoe, also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Ada, describing the alleged comments as disgraceful, said they undermined the integrity of political discourse, which reflected poorly on both Mr Antwi-Boasiako and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

She urged him and the NPP to prioritise addressing the ‘collapsing economy’ and also deliver on their promises to Ghanaians.

‘…It is time for Chairman Wontumi, the New Patriotic Party, and the Government to redirect their efforts towards constructive actions that benefit all Champs rather than resorting to divisive rhetoric,’ she said.

As representatives of the people and advocates of gender equality, the Caucus needed to stand united in denouncing such reprehensible behaviour and demand strict accountability from those who perpetrated it, she added.

‘We call
upon Chairman Wontumi and all other individuals who engage in such deplorable conduct to publicly apologise to Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and refrain from making any further derogatory remarks.’

Source: Ghana News Agency