He said Hungary applies modern scientific knowledge and equipment to increase food production by 67 per cent to feed 10 million of its people, and export surplus to the European market, and other countries.

Mr Jakab was speaking at the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ghana and Hungary, at the Department of School of Modern Languages, University of Ghana.

He said Ghana and Hungary could deepen cooperation on climate change and technology, to impact productivity.

Mr Henry Takyi Menson, the acting Chief Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, commended the government of Hungary for her contribution to Ghana’s progress.

He said that the two Hungarian water projects in Takoradi and Tamale could help Ghana achieve United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which related to provision of good water and sanitation for all.

Mr Takyi Menson said the donation of 800 vaccines by Hungary to Ghana would help fight COVID-19.

The Director of the Centre for European Studies, University of Ghana, Dr Kwame Asah-Asante, said the objectives of the centre was not only to strengthen the bond of friendship between Ghana and Hungary, but to promote research, and deepen the intellectual understanding of the university about Europe in the areas of politics, diplomacy, trade, migration and economics.

He noted that the Centre for European Studies had, since its inception in 2016, undertaken programmes, including, seminars, lectures, workshops and conferences that had resulted in the publication of policy briefs and reports for the consumption of policymakers, academics and state institutions.

Dr Asah-Asante said Ghana has realised enormous returns, especially in the area of human resource development in medicine, engineering, media and sports.

He recalled that in the early 1960s, when Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, dominated the African continent and was rated high in the world, it was a Hungarian coach, Mr Joseph Ember, who made this feat possible.

Mr Tamás Endre Fehér, the Ambassador of Hungary to Ghana, said Ghana was a vibrant country, a beacon of democracy on the African continent, a symbol of religious tolerance and an economic powerhouse. 

He announced that the President of Hungary was scheduled to visit Ghana in January 2022.

Mr Fehér said in 1961, Hungary recognised Ghana, and the same year President Kwame Nkrumah paid a historic visit to Hungary.

He said consequently the Hungarian government decided to establish an Embassy in Accra and Ghana reciprocated in 1962, by opening its Embassy in Budapest.

Mr Fehér stated that in the 60 years that followed, the level of interaction between the two countries varied with Ghana closing its mission in Budapest, while Hungarian Embassy in Accra was suspended in 1987.

He said in 2015, following a shift in foreign policy, the Government of Hungary decided to open its mission in Ghana, but started operations in 2016.

Photo: Deputy 1-2/Samba 28-11-21

 CAPTION: 1 Mr Jakab, second left being  assisted by Dr Asah-Asante, Fehér and others to cut the ribbon for the exhibition introducing 60 years of diplomatic relations