Ghana Summit Speech

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

The Crown Princess and I are happy to be visiting Ghana for the very first time.

We much appreciate the warm welcome that has been extended to us by the government and people of Ghana.

Ghana and Norway are entering a new era with much closer diplomatic and commercial relations - as both of our nations are now oil producing countries. It is therefore appropriate that we meet here - at the Ghana Summit Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference - on the first day of our visit.

Oil and gas are of course not worth much without people — like many of you present here:

• People with knowledge
• People that innovate
• People who focus on the environment
• People that take ethical decisions to ensure that the petroleum industry becomes a major engine for pro-poor growth.

The cooperation between Ghana and Norway will not be limited to petroleum only – the dynamic development of Ghana opens up many opportunities in other fields as well.

The strong international presence here today shows the great interest in exploring business opportunities in Ghana. It will be exiting to follow Ghana in the years to come.

You are set to be among the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies in 2015. This is a result of many years of peace, stable democracy and good governance.

I hope this conference will foster new partnerships between Ghana and the international community in the petroleum sector.

Thank you.