The High Commission of India in Accra has formally celebrated the Indian Technical and Economic Corporation program (ITEC) day over the weekends at the residence of the High Commissioner in Accra. The program was launched by the Government of India on September 15th, 1964 as a bilateral program to assist developing countries like Ghana.
Speaking at the event, India High Commissioner to Ghana said, ITEC program has really benefited thousands of students and professionals from Africa including Ghana. Her Excellency Ruchi Ghanashyam said “Government of India bears the entire cost of the program and since its inception in 1964, spends over Rs 500million annually on ITEC activities and provided technical assistance of more than $2billion to developing countries”.
Since the commencement of the program, over 1100 Ghanaian students and professionals have been trained in India. They have also benefitted from other existing schemes such as annual scholarships awarded by Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) to Ghanaian students to pursue undergraduate/post graduate and higher courses in India such as United Nation Peacekeeping courses, professional courses for Foreign Diplomats and ‘Know India Programme’ for Ghanaian Citizens of India origin among others.
Her Excellency Ghanashyam further reiterated that, India’s initiatives such as “Focus Africa Policy”, TEAM-9 and ITEC have strengthened cooperation between the two countries which today extends to key sectors of agriculture, rural electrification, infrastructure and human resource development.
“I commend the two personnel from the Ghana Narcotic Control Board who have returned to Ghana with their two Indian dogs, Sunny and Fame after receiving training in narcotic dog training course at the National Training Centre for Dogs, Border Security Force Academy in Tekanpur, Madhya Pradesh, India.” She said this training will help the Government of Ghana fight vigorously against narcotic trafficking in the country.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional integration of Ghana, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni commended the high Commission and the people of India for the long fruitful relationship between the two countries. He also commended the Indian Government as a whole in offering great assistance to Africans especially Ghanaians in diverse fields of human development which has contributed positively to the Ghanaian economy. “I pledge Governments total support to these programs anytime the need arises”.
Source: Michael Amedor
No comments:
Post a Comment