Ghana and Suriname share strong historical ties dating back to the transatlantic slave era.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Suriname to Ghana, Mrs. Fidelia Graand-Galon tells MARTIN-LUTHER C. KING in this interview in Accra how she will use this historic connection for the mutual benefit of the peoples of Suriname and Ghana.
She also hopes to see both countries explore and share the benefits of their respective experiences in dealing with illegal mining.
Excerpts:
Q: Many Ghanaians do not know much about Suriname. Please enlighten us about
Suriname and its people? –
Answer: Suriname is a country of multi-ethnic people with descendants from Africa, Asia and Europe. Immigrants from our neighboring countries such as Brazil, Guyana and French Guiana are also populating Suriname.
The official language is Dutch and the lingua franca is Sranantongo, which is an Afro-Surinamese language understood by all Surinamese, regardless of ethnic group.
Suriname has about 24 languages with a population of just over half a million.
The people of Suriname are Christian, Muslim, Hindu, African, Native and other religions. Indian descendants are the largest ethnic group. There are also Javanese Indonesians, Chinese and Koreans, but not many.
Suriname is located on the South American continent, but its northern border is the Atlantic Ocean, which also makes it a Caribbean nation.
The transatlantic slave trade forced Africans to go to Suriname. Due to maroonage during slavery, we have the formation of six Afro-Surinamese tribes (maroons) along six rivers in the interior of Suriname. This made the Afro descendants have 7 languages, with the national language being one of them.
Question: Please assess the current state of bilateral relations between Suriname and Ghana?
Answer: Both countries have good bilateral relations, especially since Suriname has opened an embassy in Ghana. A cooperation guide was signed by both countries.
Q: How long have Suriname-Ghana relations existed?
Answer: Suriname-Ghana relations have existed for 3 years.
Q: And how long ago was the Suriname Embassy in Ghana established?
A: The Embassy of Suriname was established in 2019.
Q: In which other countries in Africa does Suriname also have embassies?
Answer: Suriname does not have any embassy in any other African country except Ghana.
Q: Why is Ghana so important to Suriname?
Answer: Ghana is important to Suriname because of the transatlantic slave trade where Africans were sent from Ghana to Suriname.
Ghana is also important to Suriname because it can help Suriname in oil and gas technology as Suriname also has both natural resources.
Both countries also have the same challenges in gold mining, which is illegal small-scale gold mining and environmental pollution.
Both Suriname and Ghana have many similarities, such as South-South cooperation with Asia and other African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.
Question: Suriname is rich in bauxite, gold and oil. How can Suriname partner with Ghana to tap into these resources?
Answer: Ghana and Suriname can exchange human capital using the human resources of both countries.
The two countries can also collaborate to share ideas on lessons learned in each country related to natural resource mining.
They can exchange scientific studies in the mining sector, using the lessons learned from each country, in order to get more end products from the raw materials they have.
Suriname and Ghana could also have a student exchange program of university students in the field of science, technology and engineering to better empower their youth in this field.
Suriname is ready to learn from Ghana’s experience in the mining sector. Ghana’s Energy Minister was invited to Suriname and gave an excellent presentation on how the two countries can work together in oil and gas.
Question: In what other economic sectors does Suriname seek cooperation?
A: Suriname seeks cooperation in the fishing sector; she attended the ACP/EU fisheries conference in Ghana a few months ago.
Suriname is also interested in agricultural cooperation with Ghana, as the two countries have similar climates and foods.
Both countries also have excellent tourist attractions that they can take advantage of.
Question: There is a physical distance of over 6,000 kilometers between Accra and Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. Are there any plans by Suriname Airways to start flights to Accra?
Answer: Suriname is looking forward to a direct flight between the two countries and has had discussions with the Minister of Transport and Tourism about the possibility of Suriname’s national airline flying between the two countries, as it is only 6 hours away. Since Paramaribo is a significant center of South America, the direct flight can be very important and useful for both countries and the South American continent as the flight will be shorter.
Q: You were a distinguished participant at the recent Ghana Foreign Trade Policy Enlightenment Summit, GaTPES, in Accra. What do you think of the summit? How can Suriname benefit more from future editions of the summit?
A: The summit was phenomenal and very important for me as an ambassador as it gave me an understanding of the rules and guidelines for doing business in Ghana. As there was a wide spectrum of speakers from different sectors of governing bodies such as a representative from the AfCFTA, representatives from the Ghana Revenue Authority, representatives from the Lands Commission, representatives from the Registrar General’s Office, etc., it was a platform excellent to get information from various bodies and this information was shared with my respective ministry in Suriname.
Q: At the Ghana Foreign Trade Policy Enlightenment Summit, GaTPES, you called for closer relations between Suriname and Ghana as well as other African countries, especially in the areas of music, culture and tourism. What kind of relationship do you have in mind, specifically? And what are you doing to make it a reality?
A: As an ambassador, I look forward to creating a collaboration between Surinamese musicians and Ghanaian musicians. I intend to engage with Ghanaians, go to different regions and exchange ideas on how both countries can share their culture with each other.
I also wish to have programs on television to inform people of the similarities between the two countries when it comes to culture, as the African descendants, especially the chestnuts retained some of the cultures that their ancestors practiced; such as naming ceremonies, six tribal communities with chiefs and chieftains in the interior of Suriname.
I would also like to have functions on special days and organize Ghana-Suriname engagements, workshops, exhibitions, etc.
I intend to use any platform that can give me the opportunity to exchange information between the two countries.
I look forward to being able to organize food fairs, cultural arts activities where Surinamese artists can come to Ghana and perform in schools and on TV.
I also intend to visit universities and give presentations about Suriname.
I would also like the Embassy to organize a Mango festival in close collaboration with the Caricom Ghana community where Mango will be displayed in various forms and uses.
I make sure I take the opportunity to talk to the guests about Suriname whenever I am invited to functions, the pangi (which is a symbol of Suriname) is always on my shoulder as a special symbol of my country.
I look forward to them being presented in Suriname’s documentary schools and communities as well.
Q: What do you aim to be your main achievements during your tour of duty as Ambassador here?
Answer: During my tour of duty, I intend to regularly inform Ghanaians about Suriname, its people, its history and also let people know the strong connection between the two countries because of the slave trade.
I also want Suriname to become more aware of Africa’s mutual social and economic benefits.
I want to let people know where Suriname is as soon as they hear the name on TV.
My goal is to inform people about the rich natural resources of Suriname and allow them
know that Suriname is also a soccer nation as several players in the Netherlands national team are of Suriname descent.
Q: Your official title is ‘Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary’. How does this work? Please explain what this means in practice.
Answer: This means that I am officially representing the Head of State of Suriname, who is the President; and, I have full power and authority to represent the Government of Suriname.
Q: What would you say are your main achievements so far?
A: My main achievement so far is getting to know your company and being able to attend your Ghana Trade Enlightenment Forum for Foreigners.
I was also in the Volta region where I met with the minister of the region and had the opportunity to interest people in Suriname on google and learn more about Suriname. I will be satisfied only when I see the direct flight between Suriname, Ghana and other African countries.
To be interviewed by you and to have the opportunity to talk about my country Suriname is a great achievement for me too as there will be more people who will hear and read about Suriname.
Question: Your Excellency, would you kindly tell us about yourself?
Answer: I was born in the east of Suriname, Moengo, which is a bauxite town; and, I am a member of one of the Maroon tribes; we have 6 tribes. I belong to the Okanisi tribe which is near French Guiana.
I served as ambassador first to Trinidad and Tobago and then now to Ghana.
I worked as a lecturer at the University of Suriname at the pre-university level and worked as a senior policy advisor at the Ministry of Planning and Development (which no longer exists). Now I am working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
I am the founder of the Maroon Women’s Network which serves as a networking platform for development; working for awareness of the social and economic benefits of sustainable development of tribal communities at the national and international levels.
I am also the founder of the Maroon Women’s Cooperative Chamber and also involved in the International Institute ‘Every Girl Wins’ which was established in the United States and I am starting to work here in Ghana to empower girls with their talents regardless of age Theirs.
I was a senior policy advisor to the Ministry of Natural Resources in implementing Free Informed Consent in tribal communities.
Q: Your last words, Your Excellency?
A: I would like to thank Africa for allowing us to work together to make the world a better place, in using natural and human resources to make life better for all.
Using our talents and skills to effectively communicate, educate and empower each other and those who need it most.
Let’s work together and give peace a chance.
Thank you!
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