“Thinking Diplomacy: New World New Horizons“
When we look at the main trends in the world, global competition in the age of new economy based on "information and knowledge-based products" following "soil and machinery" is developing through "micro-nationalism", "integration" and "unpredictability’’. Challenges that determine the new nature of life and state; such as " crisis in resource and sharing ", unsustainability of production-consumption-growth formula, purge of the middle class with Chinese leverage, energy, water, and food insecurity, transition to the 4th dimension, liquidation of human resources in the workforce, transition from hard power to soft and smart power on the basis of the very changing state nature and anticipation management, can be formed as the basic references.
Within all these fundamental parameters, the transformations in technology are prone to change the whole human life and nature by developing with artificial intelligence, virtual/enhanced reality and mobility centered. It is obvious that the concepts of "Industry 4.0" and "Society 5.0" are important topics for managing the transformation of the world within the dimensions of industry and society. Another contributive factor is the turbulence that China creates as it begins to become intensively dominant on the world stage day to day. The New Silk Road project, "One Belt and One Road Initiative"; is shaped as a global integration project involving more than hundred countries, both on land and at sea, permanently changing the distribution of economic shares. In countries with no middle class, authoritarian regimes or chaos stands as two options in the fore-seeable future. How to make the division of labor in terms of regional and global security and how to share the costs is also a point of discussion in the coming period.
The development of new alliances on security can be read from the risks and the initiatives undertaken by dominant countries. The quality of the concepts of property and power, and the business model change historically. The future of the EU with the "Failure in Success" syndrome will be determined by the results of the polarization which revived in the West after the Brexit. Along with all these developments, "Ecosystem of safety" changes with the law. The "Security - Democracy" dilemma will be experienced much more after that. Because, for the democracy, it is difficult to survive in countries where the middle class is melting and security leans to a sophisticated ground. The question "Will security bring us authoritarian regimes" needs to be discussed further.
Turkey distinguishes itself with an 84-million inhabitants, growing economy and geo-strategic status in the center of Afro-Eurasia. Turkey's historical, political and cultural ties between Europe, Black Sea, Caucasus, Asia, Middle East and African countries, rising activity in the international arena, especially in the United Nations, being an important member of organizations such as NATO, OSCE and CICA and with active foreign policy, it has become an increasingly important actor on the global platform.
Ghana is an important country in the global scene with its strategic position that connects United Nations (UN), African Union, English Nations Community and Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) with its dynamic and young population of 29 million people, economical potential in sectors with its prestigious position on continental and global aspects. Per capita income is around 2,210 dollars. Ghana is the second largest economy in West Africa. Economically, it ranks second in the list of countries that attract the most capital in the West African Region.
One-third of GDP in natural resorce-rich Ghana’s economy constitute agriculture and mining, build up a major part of export item cacao and gold. Ghana is second biggest gold producer of Africa and second biggest cacao producer of the World. Oil export has started from Ghana since 2011. Key sector of economy in Ghana whose GDP is 65.192 billion dollars is based on agriculture. Contribution of agriculture to GDP is at a level of %35. Service industry shared from GDP on a level of %30, contribution of industry of GDP is on a level of %25; mining and oil sector within industry sector is just on a level of %10. Series of reforms is ensured in order to take foreign investment to country last years.
Diplomatic relations between Turkey - Ghana had begun in 1958. With Republic of Turkey’s decision to re-establish a resident Embassy in Accra and the subsequent opening of Embassy in Accra as of 1 February 2010, built up an important intensification in bilateral political relations between Ghana and Turkey. In this framework, the official visit paid to Ghana by 11th Turkish President in 2011, has constituted the first visit ever realized at this level between the two countries. During the visit, a Framework Agreement on Military Cooperation, an Agreement on Cooperation in the Fields of Health and Medical Sciences, an Agreement on Bilateral Air Services, an Agreement on the Mutual Abolition of Visas for Holders of Diplomatic Passports, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a Political Consultation Mechanism between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries have been signed. Just after the beginning of 2013, the President of Ghana H.E. John Dramani Mahama’s visitation to Turkey had been accelarated a new way of bilateral relations between two countries.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Ghana he did in 2016, has become a new landmark in the relations between two countries. A Business Forum was held with around 150 Turkish business people accompanying the Turkish President and Ghanaian business people.
The bilateral trade volume between Turkey and Germany stood at 471million dollars in 2019 and trade gap weigh against Ghana was 271 million dollars. The bilateral trade increases every year. Thus, Ghana has become Turkey’s third largest trade partner in Sub-Saharan Africa. The main products exported by Turkey to Gahan are cement, pasta, insulated cables and wires, flour, iron and steel products, chemical fertilizers and petroleum oils. The main products exported by Ghana to Turkey are cocoa and cocoa products, soybeans, cotton and gold. Around 150 Turkish companies operate in Ghana. Prominent sectors are energy and contracting. THY has direct flights between Istanbul-Akra-Istanbul 7 days a week.
In other aspects, Turkey and Ghana has common interest in geopolitical and security areas in Africa. When necessity of energy security has taken consideration, one of the most essential point is ensured peace and security for both countries’ interests. Growth rate of Turkey and Ghana’s which reached in last period is forced to take into consideration two countries each other in economic way. Turkey, Balkans, Middle East and Central Asia is good economic partner for Ghana. Turkey is also seen to Ghana as political, economical and security related partner that should have strong reciprocal relations. Turkey has also special importance on Ghana’s cooperation in order to improve with African countries relations. In that case, Turkey’s relation and cooperation with Ghana is very important within the scope of African Union.
Both countries can develop strategic cooperation with regards to sustaining long term interests. At this point, wider political, economic, diplomatic and geostrategic points of views are needed to look at the events. In order for Turkey - Ghana relations to be carried to an ideal point in today’s multi-dimensional world order; every parameter should be taken into consideration, is not just only build up political and strategical oriented parameter, particularly economical elements are in the first place focused to have reciprocal deepness.
It is being deeply felt that there is an urgent necessity for collaborative works of the two countries so that the solutions for the regional issues can be found. Now it is required that the two countries head towards a future structure, in order to uplift the Turkey - Ghana relations an ideal point within a world power schema which takes its form in a multi-dimensional way, by creating a mutual deepening not only in political and strategic basis but also in its each parameters. In this regard, the Turkey - Ghana Strategic Dialogue, which will bring together the representatives of the related sectors in a comprehensive way that includes the strategic dimension of the relations, will play a significant role.
Main Theme
Thinking Diplomacy: New World New Horizons
Sub Themes
New Balances New Economy
Turkey - Ghana Economical Relations: Opportunities and Risks
Infrastructure and Entrepreneurship
Health Investments and Health Tourism
Energy, Water and Food Security and Human Development
Energy Politics: Geopolitic and Security Results
Social, Economic and Political Improvements
Turkey - Ghana Cooperation at a level of African Countries
Sources Systems; Bilateral Subsidiary Opportunities
Sharing Technology, Academic and Cultural Cooperation
Multi-dimensional Cooperation Perspectives
Civil Society Cooperation Perspective
Primary Sectors
Public Diplomacy, Education and Language
Culture and Tourism
Construction, Construction Business and Infrastructure
Health and Health Tourism
Energy, Petro-chemistry and Investments
Logistics, Transportation and Communication
Banking and Finance (Strategic Investment Fund)
Economy and Trade
Media and Communication
Science and Technology
Brand Cities and Environment
Defence and Space Industry
STUDIES AND ACTIVITIES (DRAFT)
Method
Inductive Reasoning, Participation and Economic Deepening
Turkey - Ghana Committee of Wise Persons Meetings Workshop
Building Capacity and Ecosystem Inventory
Preparation of Research Projects and their Reports
Development of Pro-active Policy Recommendations
Round-Table Meetings/Workshops
Multilateral Workshops/Studies
Sector Workshops/Activities
Applied Interactive Modelings
Strategic Reports
Publication of sector studies as strategic reports for decision makers, private sector, media and public opinion of the two countries. Providing literature and memory support.
Media Conferences
Other Academic Studies
Strategic Reports, Books, Articles, Thesis and so on Academic Studies
Event Page
https://tasam.org/en/Etkinlik/16267/turkey_-_ghana_strategic_dialogue
