PRESS KIT

FRANCE & GHANA 1957 - 2017

The Embassy of France to Ghana has a responsibility in bilateral relations, speaking for the French government and emphasizing France’s positions in all fields. One of its priorities is to act in favor of peace and Human Rights, while also supporting the initiatives for a worldwide sustainable growth. The Embassy also assists and keeps track of its nationals in Ghana.

Who are we ?

7 agencies and institutions working daily with the French Embassy to improve bilateral relations

AFD (Agence Française de Développement) has concentrated its operations in Ghana on major economic infrastructure development projects in the country, mainly in the agriculture, transport and energy sectors.

Campus France is a French government agency in charge of promoting higher education in France. It assists students in Ghana in various ways without charges.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry France-Ghana is an association of companies and professionals, belonging to different sectors, which aims at supporting, fostering and enhancing bilateral trade, financial and investment relations and exchanges between Ghana and France.

The Institut Français du Ghana is in charge of implementing France’s cultural action in the country, under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Lycée Français d’Accra Jacques Prévert is the French school. The school provides education from kindergarten to senior high school. It prepares students for French exams and provides gateways to other educational systems.

Alliance Française Ghana is a non-profit organization that promotes the French language, the French culture and cultural diversity. It is governed by a Ghanaian board. Alliance Française Ghana has branches in 5 cities: Accra, Kumasi, Tema, Takoradi and Cape Coast.

Located at UG-Legon and KNUST, the Maison Française is an academic hub, intended to connect Ghanaian and French researchers, to initiate academic partnerships and exchanges.

Why France & Ghana ?

2017 will be the year of the sixtieth anniversary of the independence of Ghana, proclaimed on March 6, 1957, but will also mark sixty years of diplomatic relations between France and Ghana. Start of 2017, a few days after his inauguration ceremony, the new president of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo attended the Africa-France Summit in Bamako on 13 and 14 January. Ghana must play its full part in the stability and development of West Africa. As part of Ghana's regional integration, the Embassy of France and its partners will continue to strengthen their partnership with Ghana on several points: • Strengthening economic relations, including the development of French start-ups or

the arrival of new French companies. • Strengthening security , with new projects in the field of counter-terrorism and to

better fight drug trafficking or in training military personal. • Strengthening cultural exchanges between the two countries including the

development of the French language.

In order to celebrate this important year, several events will be organized and supported by the French Embassy and partners of the ’France in Ghana’ network.

Bagad de Lann-Bihoué

Good France/Goût de France Francophonie festival

Campus France fair

Military cooperation

direct line between Paris and Accra

Timeline of FRANCE & GHANA

Feb 28

Opening of a direct line between Paris and Accra by Air France Festival of La

Francophonie

‘Good France/ Goût de France’ Celebration of French gastronomy in Ghana

Bagad de Lann-Bihoué Concert in Accra

March 10-24

March 21

April 5-8

March 6

Ghana's 60th anniversary of independence

Jan 7

Inauguration Ceremony of the new President of Ghana

March 25

60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome

RFI music prize

Digital Forum in Accra : a Business France event

Reception for the French National Day in Accra

French Presidential elections

July 14

June May April 23 &

May 7 April

Laying of the foundation stone of the new French Embassy in Ghana

May 17-28

70th anniversary of the Festival de Cannes

November December

60th anniversary of Alliance française of Accra

Paris in Accra exhibition on ‘ art de vivre à la française ‘

4-7 October

First « Study in France » fair and Launch of the alumni platform in Ghana

November

Africa wine tour First time in Ghana

Focus on main events Air France, opening of a direct line between Paris and Accra on February 28th.

On 21 March, over 2000 restaurants in 150 countries will participate in the Goût de/Good France event to celebrate French gastronomy. This event, organised by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development and chef Alain Ducasse, is inspired by Auguste Escoffier, who launched the “Dîners d’Épicure” (Epicurean Dinners) initiative in 1912: the same menu, on the same day, in several world cities, for as many guests as possible.

The early spring Goût de/Good France event on March 21th.

Starting 28th February 2017, Air France will offer three weekly flights to Accra, Ghana from Paris-Charles de Gaulle. In this way, Air France will increase exchanges between the two countries in the field of trade and investment, culture and education.

The Bagad of Lann-Bihoué is a traditional Breton pipe band and the only military one remaining of the French Navy. Bagad members are playing all around the world and this year, Accra will have the honour to host them in April.

The Bagad de Lann-Bihoué will be performing 3 concerts in Accra from the 5th to the 7th of April.

As with every year, the Francophone Embassies in Ghana are organising various events to celebrate the Francophonie in Ghana. The cultural diversity and the French language will be honored as well as job opportunities for bilingual students and young graduates.

Francophonie Festival in Accra from the 10th to the 24th of March

Campus France fair and Launch of the alumni platform from the 4th to the 7th of October

First fair on studies in France organized by Campus France in Ghana associated with the 4th “Rencontres Universitaires”, with the presence of many representatives of french universities and french schools. On this occasion will be launched the digital platform "France Alumni Ghana".

OUR PARTNERS

Our partners are not only part of the “France in Ghana” network, the French business community, Ghanaian universities or some of the major economic players in Ghana play an important role in bilateral relations.

Contact

Yaren DUENAS Press attaché / Attaché de presse Embassy of France / Ambassade de France yaren.duenas@diplomatie.gouv.fr Tel : 03 02 21 45 93 Tel : 05 56 36 36 78 PO Box 187, Accra, Ghana

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