The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has left Ghana for the 12th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, being held in Niamey, Niger.

The Summit will launch officially the operational phase of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), after it achieved maturity on May 30, 2019, when the 22nd Member-State deposited its instrument of ratification at the AU Commission headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Ghana, on Sunday, July 7, 2019, is expected to be announced as the host country for the Secretariat of the AfCFTA, after beating off competition from countries like Egypt, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Kenya, Senegal and Madagascar.

President Akufo-Addo will leave Niger on Monday, July 8, 2019, to begin a three-day official visit to France, at the invitation of her President, His Excellency Emmanuel Macron.

In addition to holding bilateral talks with President Macron, aimed at deepening the ties of co-operation and bonds of friendship between the two countries, President Akufo-Addo will meet with members of the Ghanaian community; deliver an address at the France-Ghana Business Forum; visit the Port of Marseille; and hold meetings with French multinational companies such as Total and Société Générale.

The President will leave France on Thursday, 11th July, and proceed to take a week’s leave of absence, as part of his annual leave.

He was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, MP; Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen; CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Yofi Grant; and officials from the Presidency and Foreign Ministry.

President Akufo-Addo will return to Ghana on July 18, 2019, and in his absence, the Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, shall, in accordance with Article 60(8) of the Constitution, act in his stead.