On an official visit to Morocco, a Ghanaian parliamentary delegation praised the dynamic development of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region in the south on Wednesday.
Led by Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee of the Ghanaian Parliament, a delegation of Ghanaian MPs visiting Morocco was able to assess the progress made in the areas of infrastructure, human capital, and social services.
This delegation held numerous meetings and field visits, including to the Regional Council headquarters, to assess the progress made under the new development model for the southern provinces, launched by King Mohammed VI in 2015.
“This visit allowed us to see firsthand the development efforts being made in this strategic region of the Kingdom. Morocco is a model to follow in terms of infrastructure, territorial governance, and
vocational training,” Mr. Vanderpuije told the press.
He praised the quality of the projects implemented for the benefit of local populations, noting that they go beyond the national framework to meet regional development ambitions in Africa.
The delegation also expressed Ghana’s interest in strengthening its bilateral cooperation with Morocco, particularly in the areas of business, investment, and youth training. “We wish to benefit from Moroccan expertise, particularly in the fields of sports and professional integration,” added the Ghanaian official.
During their stay, the parliamentarians met with the Wali (governor) of the region, Abdeslam Bekrate, who highlighted the principles of advanced regionalisation and decentralization adopted by Morocco.
He also highlighted the high voter turnout among residents of the southern provinces, particularly during the 2021 legislative elections, as a testament to their support for the ongoing projects.
The delegation, composed of several presidents and members of Ghanaian parliamentary committees, visited several emblematic educational, sports and economic infrastructures in Laayoune, illustrating the scale of investments deployed in the region.
MK/ac/Sf/fss/as/APA