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Ghana should protect her national
interests - K. B. Asante
Accra, Jan. 9, GNA - Mr K. B. Asante, a retired Diplomat, on
Monday said in Ghana's attempt to cultivate good
international relationship, she must not forget about her
national interests, which were permanent and paramount.
He said Ghana should, therefore, not be subservient to any
power or group and that though foreign friends should be
cultivated, there were no permanent friends in international
relationship rather it was the national interests which were
permanent.
"Today there is only one super power. She is helpful to
Ghana and we should be grateful for this. But we should
realize that she pursues her perceived interests with
determination and some ruthlessness."
Mr Asante was presenting a paper on: "Fifty Years of Ghana's
Involvement in International Affairs" at the 58th Annual New
Year School Organised by the Institute of Adult Education of
the University of Ghana, Legon.
He said domestic interests influenced a nation's involvement
in international affairs but at present Ghana's economy was
weak and as such relied a great deal on donors to balance
her budget.
This posture had to be maintained while she tried to stand
on her own and adopt the appropriate policies.
The Former Diplomat said; “the past beckons us to be
faithful to the fundamental essence of the policies, which
have sustained us for the past 50 years. We have on the
whole pursued a national all-party foreign policy and we
should continue to do so”.
He said while Ghana tried to understand and to appreciate
the interests and motivations of major world players, she
should be committed to the African Union and Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS); enlarge her
influence in international affairs and protect and promote
the national interests.
"Immediately we should try to bring peace to the ECOWAS
Region; help to solve disputes and stop active conflicts and
be faithful to the essence of policies adopted at
independence and which we have followed within the AU, the
Commonwealth, the UN and other international organizations"
he said.
GNA
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