A view of the city of Valetta in Malta

In the words of scripture in Acts 28:1 (King James Version), the Bible says “And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita” which is present day Malta.

The Cross of Jesus Christ at the Heart of the City of Valetta in Malta

This portion of scripture occurred at about 60 A.D in Malta when the good old Apostle Paul and some 274 others got caught up in a violent storm only to be wrecked two weeks later on the island of Malta. This ancient state of Malta where Christianity has over 2000 years of history, played host to the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, on the invitation of the President of Malta, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca.

Time check and it is 21:00GMT and the final call for boarding of Turkish Air flight 0630 from Accra to Istanbul is heard in the public address system of terminal three (3) of the Kotoka International Airport. The team of five journalists and some advance security personnel having completed departure formalities would head straight to the boarding gate to embark on the first of two flights to Malta.

Thursday the 21st of March, 2019, at about 21:45GMT, the team was airborne for our six hour, thirty minutes flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Turkey, the team had just an hour to connect to the two hour flight from Istanbul to Valletta, Malta.

The Turkish Air Ground Services perhaps picked signals that a team was on their Accra-Instanbul flight and needed to connect to Malta as fast as possible upon arrival at the Artatuk International Airport. An airport officer was thus waiting for the team at the point of entry to assist us to go through security checks as quickly as possible in order not to miss our second flight.

The assistance proved very helpful and in no time, we were cleared for the boarding of flight TK 1369 enroute to Valletta, the capital city of Malta.

Arrival in Valetta

Front view of the Malta International Airport

Flight TK 1369 after an hour and fifty minutes of flying touched down at the Malta International Airport. The team quickly disembarked and went through passport control to be admitted into Malta. Within a spate of thirty (30) minutes, all team members had been cleared and granted entry permit into the Mediterranean/European state of Malta.

The Corinthia Hotel

A side and front view of Corinthia Palace Hotel

Staff of the Ghana High Commission in Malta were readily available at the airport to pick us up to our hotel. The 15 minute journey from the Malta International Airport in Valletta, to Hotel Corinthia, in San Anton, in our right hand drive mini Mercedes Benz bus was a pleasant experience.

First Impression

The Edifice that houses the Parliament of Malta in the city of Valetta

The ancient architecture running through virtually every single building in Malta instantly ignited a discussion among the team members. Our queries to the Maltese driver about the buildings we were seeing showed that some of them are over 2,000 years old and still going strong. The management of space and land, the narrow roads, and the choice of small and cute vehicles and almost every road user in Malta was also an interesting phenomenon that caught the attention of the team.  Obviously, the availability of parking space and the scarcity of land in Malta informs the moderate choices of the Maltese population when it comes to purchasing cars putting up buildings for residential purposes. It certainly is a case of “cutting your coat according to your size or cloth”.After settling in in our hotel rooms, the team would take the rest of day one, Friday the 22nd of March, 2019, to rest ahead of the busy schedule ahead. Day one of the journey was effectively over.

Residence pack their cars at parking lots in-front their homes.

The Briefing

Rising up to a temperature of 16 Degrees Celsius, Saturday, the 23rd of March, 2019, was a promising day. After our breakfast, the team went through a briefing session with Maltese officials and staff of the high commission of Ghana in Malta. The schedule of the President for the two-day state visit was shared as well as the the “dos and donts” in Malta. The details of team members as well as our passport pictures where subsequently taken to prepare our accreditations for us. In about two hours, the briefing and familiarization session was over.

Time to Hit Tow

Two members of the team, Bright and Ken in the city of Valetta

With the rest of the day widely opened and available, team members decided to embark on an expedition in the ancient state. What was intended to be a short walk around town ended up being a four-hour journey on foot around town.

The beautiful and historic sites, the trees, the cathedrals, biblical land marks, kept the team walking and walking. The team after sightseeing returned to Hotel Corinthia with a plan to embark on a second trip the following day, Sunday the 24th of March, 2019. Day two was effectively over.

The Valletta Experience

A plaque indicating the year the City of Valetta was listed as a World Heritage

After breakfast on day three, Sunday the 24th of March, 2019, the team as well as the advance security detail were scheduled to familiarize ourselves with the various locations President Akufo Addo would be having engagements as well as visiting. Within two hours, the team completed its planned schedule for day three. The city of Valletta was thus our best bet for the rest of the day.

Bus 51

Having returned to the Corinthia Hotel after our scheduled activities, the team decided to visit the city of Valletta. The public bus transportation system of Malta was the best option the team had for the 30 minutes journey from San Anton where our hotel was and the city of Valletta. With €1.50, each member of the team secured our bus tickets for the ride. At exactly the scheduled time of 13:15 hours local time in Malta (12:15GMT), bus 51 arrived and the team got on board.

Bus 51 gets ready to take off after dropping off the team

The City of Statues

Apart from the rich ancient buildings, the world heritage cites, the fountains, the tunnels, fishing and personals boats, one other outstanding feature of the city of Valletta are the several statues the city has. Virtually every king, former political leader, warrior of Malta has been honoured with a statue at vantage spots in the city. Perhaps, the saying that “a nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for,” has really been put into practice in Malta. The team after several hours of touching base with the city of Valetta will return to the Corinthia Hotel, ending day three of our stay.

Two of the several statues sited at multiple locations in Valetta

Arrival of the President

President Akufo-Addo being Welcomed at the Maltese Airport

At about 14:00 local time in Malta (13:00) GMT on the 25th of March 2019, the team moved in a convoy enroute to the Malta International Airport for the arrival of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and his entourage. After going through all necessary checks at the VIP section of the airport, team members were stationed at the waiting area. At about 18:00 hours local time (17:00GMT), the President touched down. The Maltese Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, Carmelo Abela, Malta’s Ambassador to Ghana, Jean Claude Galea, Fiona Formosa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, Carmel Briffa, Secretary to the Presidency of Malta, Kerstin Spiteri, Director of Protocol, Malta, and Ghana’s High Commissioner to Malta, Mercy Bampo Addo, received the President at the Airport.

Departure from the Airport

Right from the tarmac, the President’s motorcade departed the Malta International Airport to the San Anton Palace, the state residency of Malta, where the President would be spending the night.

Meeting the Ghanaian Community

Some members of the Ghanaian Community listening to the President while he address them

If you were wondering if there are Ghanaians in Malta, yes there are! President Akufo Addo after settling down at the Palace left the residence of Ghana’s High Commissioner to Malta where several dozens of Ghanaians residents in Malta had gathered waiting to hear from their leader.

Ridding Ghana of Vigilantism

President Akufo-Addo receiving a gift from the Ghanaian Community in Malta

President Akufo-Addo assured the Ghanaian community in Malta that his administration will rid the country of the vigilantism phenomenon which is threatening the enviable record of peace and stability Ghana is associated with.

Addressing the Ghanaian community in Malta on the first day of his two-day state visit to the Mediterranean nation, President Akufo-Addo said there are many challenges that the country is battling with and that includes the phenomenon of vigilantism. However, his administration, he said, will do everything materially possible to stop vigilantism from taking any further root in the country.

“We have a lot of challenges in our country. You know the political issues that are there, the phenomenon of political vigilantism and all of that.  These are worrying matters, but they are matters that I am determined to bring under control. Come what may, we will rid our country of some of these phenomenon. We don’t need it in the new Ghana we are trying to build,” the President said. He further noted that, “We have to have a country whereby decisions are taken on the basis of the force of argument and the quality of the presentations that are made by the various political actors in the state. If we all agree that that is the way forward, these unpleasant phenomenon that we have been witnessing in our country in recent times will also be brought under control”.

Management of Public Finances

President Akufo-Addo expressed great delight at the fact that the country has finally completed its sixteenth bailout Programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“We are now on our own but I think being on our own, there is something very important that all of us have to learn from the experience of the last IMF Programme and that is this, in the sixty years of our independence, the last IMF Programme was the sixteenth time we have gone to the International Monetary Fund for a bailout because our public finances could no longer stand the strain of mismanagement. It is about a fundamental and a basic matter that all of us Ghanaians have to bear in mind, and that is discipline in the management of our public finances,” President Akufo Addo observed.

The Lesson of Latest IMF Bailout

According  to the President,  the country’s exit from the latest IMF bailout programme that former President John Mahama signed the country on to in 2015, comes with a big lesson of discipline. This lesson, he says, must guard our spending culture as a country.

“It is not easy to say that you have to live within your means, but if you want to be able to do big things, you expand your means, you don’t spend money that you don’t have, that is always the road to chaos. We have to learn that discipline in the management of public finances has now to be the basic element for the building of our economy and that is the lesson that the latest bailout programme with the IMF should impress on all of us,” President Akufo Addo stated.

Members of the Ghanaian Community addressing the President

The Maltese Custom

In his address, President Akufo Addo, pointed out that the Maltese have a custom where visiting Heads of State not only meet officials of the ruling party, but also with the leaders of the opposition. “It is a good custom and it is a custom that we have to try and emulate in Ghana. I am due to meet the leader of the opposition tomorrow after meeting the President and the Prime Minister and the others. It is all to show that on a visit like this, you are meeting the entire Maltese nation and not just those who are temporarily in charge of it. I think it is something that we should also make part of our state culture  as well,” President Akufo Addo suggested.

The President, his entourage and the rest of the team after dinner at the residence of the Ghana High Commissioner to Malta recessed for the day ahead of the busy schedule of Tuesday, 26th of March, 2019.

Day Two of the State Visit

President Akufo Addo Arriving at the St. George’s Square in the Maltese Ceremonial vehicle

At about 07:30 hours local time in Malta, (06:30 GMT), the team departed from Corinthia Hotel to join the convoy ahead of the commencement of the day’s packed activities. At about 09:30am, President Akufo Addo arrived at St. George’s Square, the ceremonial grounds of Malta and in front of the Grand Master Palace, where he inspected a guard of honour to officially welcome him to Malta.

The two leader jointly inspecting the guard of honour

The President subsequently had a tête-a-tête session with President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca at the Grand Master Palace. The two leaders exchanged gifts and went on to hold an official meeting together with their respective delegations.

President Akufo-Addo in a tête-a-tête session with President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, at the Grand Master Palace

Ghana, Malta Sign  Agreements and MOUs

The Stage set for the signing ceremony

After the official meeting, Ghana signed an Air Service Agreement with Malta that will see the national airline of the Mediterranean state flying directly to Ghana. The direct flight would be the first of the Maltese carrier, Air Malta, to Sub-Saharan Africa.

The two nations also signed other agreements on the agreed minutes of the second meeting at the technical level on [Ghana – Malta] permanent joint commission on full bilateral cooperation and double taxation. The two countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on medicine, tourism and culture, and a Memorandum of Understanding on a Visa Waiver Agreement for Diplomatic Passports. The agreements and Memoranda of Understanding were signed as part of President Akufo Addo’s two-day state visit to Malta.

The Agreements Signed

The two Foreign Ministers Signing the Agreements

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey signed the agreements on behalf of Ghana and the Maltese Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, Carmelo Abela, signed on behalf of Malta. The signing ceremony was witnessed by President Akufo Addo and his Maltese counterpart, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, at the Grand Master Palace in the city of Valletta.

Addressing a joint press conference after the signing ceremony, President Akufo Addo indicated, “The possibility that we are going to have Air Malta coming to Accra directly from here is also a very encouraging sign for us.

“Hopefully by the end of this year, a new national Ghanaian airline will also come into being and that can be also another conduit for our two countries,” President Akufo Addo said.

 

The Migration Challenge

On the issue of migration, President Akufo Addo said it has become a sensitive matter confronting Malta, the rest of Europe and the African continent.

“Our attitude in Ghana is that we want to create the conditions that will make our country and our economy attractive to our young so that they can see their future in Ghana rather than this hazardous undertaking that some of them have been forced into crossing the Sahara, coming to take their chances on rickety boats to cross the Mediterranean,” the President said.

Maltese President

The Maltese President, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, in her statement said Malta is excited about the new wave of relations development between her country and Ghana. She observed that one of the most important areas of focus that both Ghana and Malta will have to pay attention is the development of their youthful populations.

“Let us always emphasize the inclusion of our young people at every level of social, economic, political, and cultural engagement. Our young people are an essential contributors to our societies and friendship between the youth of Malta and Ghana will translate into stronger connections between our peoples, both now and in the future,” President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca said.

The War Memorial

The Business Forum Underway at the Corinthia Palace Hotel

After the signing of the Agreements, MOUs and the Press Briefing, President Akufo Addo departed the Grand Master Palace to the Malta War Memorial in Floriana, the fortified town in the South Eastern Region of Malta, where he laid a wreath at the war memorial. The War Memorial is an Obelisk in the form of a Latin cross originally erected in memory of the dead of the First World War but now revered also as a memorial to the dead of both world wars. This monument was inaugurated by Governor Sir Charles Bonham Carter in 1938. The four plaques adorning this monument are the Maltese Flag with the George Cross, a scroll by President Roosevelt, another by King George VI praising Malta’s sacrifices in the Second World War, and another by King George V who praised Malta for its role in the First World War.

Courtesy Calls

President Akufo Addo, after the wreath laying ceremony depart the war memorial grounds to the San Anton Palace where he received the leader of the opposition in Malta, Adrian Delia, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Angelo Farrugia, in separate meetings when they paid a courtesy call on him. After the meetings, a state lunch was hosted by the Maltese leader in honour of President Akufo Addo.

The Malta Ghana Business Forum

The Business Forum Underway at the Corinthia Palace Hotel

The next assignment of the President was to close the Ghana-Malta Business Forum organized by the Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC) in collaboration with the government of Malta.

The President at the Business  Forum

President Akufo Addo Addressing the Business Forum

President Akufo-Addo, in his closing address urged Maltese companies to take advantage of the new impetus given to Ghana-Maltese relations by the reciprocal high-level visits of the last eighteen (18) months and invest in Ghana. He stated that, “Ghana is ready for business, and I am happy that Maltese companies have already made investments to the tune of some $19 million in our country.”

He told the gathering that there are several projects in Ghana, in the areas of water, housing, transport, industry, manufacturing, agriculture, petroleum and gas, the exploitation of our mineral wealth of bauxite, iron ore and gold, amongst others, which are being structured to attract private sector investment and financing. Touting the achievements of his government over the last two years, President Akufo-Addo noted that his administration spent the last two years putting in place measures to improve the fundamentals of Ghana’s economy, which, in recent years, had been in considerable disarray, necessitating recourse to an IMF bailout programme.

“We have been moderately successful in trying to grow the Ghanaian economy, ensuring that our economy grew from 3.6% in 2016, the lowest in two decades, to 8.5% in 2017, our first year in office, to 6% last year, and is projected to grow by 7.9% in 2019, making it one of the fastest growing economies in Africa,” he said.

The President continued, “We have also now successfully completed and exited the IMF programme, and have decided that, with disciplined management of our public finances, we will not have recourse, again, for a bailout Programme.” Additionally, government, he said, has implemented measures which are leading Ghana and her economy into the new digital age, formalizing the Ghanaian economy, reducing the cost of doing business, and facilitating interaction between businesses and their clients, particularly in a technology-driven era, where connectivity through digital services is an important element in achieving competitiveness.

Tree Planting

Upon departure from the forum venue, the President returned to the San Anton Palace to fulfill an age old culture in Malta for visiting Heads of State, which is tree planting. The President thus climaxed his visit by planting a tree at the San Anton Palace, the official residence of the President of Malta.

The State of Malta

The landfront fortification of the city of Valletta

The Maltese Islands are positively mythic. The narrow meandering streets of their towns and villages lead to the main square, which is invariably dominated by the huge baroque church. As the countryside is dotted with medieval towers, wayside chapels and the oldest known human structures in the world, the Islands have rightly been described as an open-air museum.

The Maltese archipelago lies virtually at the centre of the Mediterranean, 93 km south of Sicily and 288 km north of Africa. The archipelago consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino with a total population of over 400,000 inhabitants occupying an area of 316 square kilometers.

Malta is the largest island and the cultural, commercial and administrative centre. Gozo is the second largest island and is more rural, characterised by fishing, tourism, crafts and agriculture. Comino, the smallest of the trio, has one hotel and is largely uninhabited. The Islands have superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, thereby providing a great deal to see and do.

Brief History of Malta

The Republic Street, Valletta, decorated with the flags of Ghana, Malta and the EU

Maltese constitutional development has had a rather turbulent history. Under the Order of St John, from 1530 to 1798, democracy was unknown even as an inspiration.

The French period was short-lived, from 1798 to 1800, and was marked by an armed insurrection within months of its commencement. With the approval of the King of the Two Sicilies, whom the Maltese still recognized as their lawful sovereign, the British were invited in and the French eventually had to leave.

In 1814, by the Treaty of Paris, Malta became a British possession. Its first Constitution was granted in 1835. However, its Council of Government was by nomination.

In 1887, for the first time in its history, Malta acquired representative government through a Council which was composed of a majority of Maltese elected members. By the turn of the century, the political situation became tense as the 1887 Constitution was slowly dismantled until representative government was revoked altogether in 1903. The political aspirations of the Maltese grew stronger and in February 1919 a newly constituted National Assembly unanimously resolved to request the British government to grant a new constitution with full political and administrative autonomy. Events came to a head on 7th June, 1919, when riots broke out as a result of which four Maltese were killed by British troops.

This crisis paved the way for the formation of a responsible government through a new constitution, granted in 1921. Thus Malta had its first government composed of Ministers who were themselves members of and responsible to a Legislature which the Maltese people elected. Malta obtained independence from the UK in 1964 and became a Republic in 1974. Thirty years later, in 2004, Malta joined the European Union.

The President’s Departure

President Akufo Addo and his host interacting with a Maltese Businessman ahead of his departure to the airport

The President’s motorcade after the tree planting departed to the Airport at about 17:00 hours local Maltese time. President Akufo Addo and the Maltese President, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, exchanged pleasantries for a while. At about 17:45 Maltese time, President Akufo Addo and his entourage were airborne enroute to Accra.

My Visit to Rabat

After seeing the President off, team members were obviously worn out and needed some rest. However, I decided to visit the city of Rabat, where I was told has a lot of Biblical history. On my way to Rabat this is what I encountered.

The Jesus Tree

The Crucifix Tree, also known as the Jesus Tree

The Crucifix Tree, also known as the Jesus Tree, is probably one of the most famous trees ever to inhabit the island of Malta. The pine tree is reputed to have been struck by lightning, following which appeared the unmistakable likeness of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Faithful locals soon made the tree a place of pilgrimage, considering it an apparition of sorts.

The Crucifix Tree even had a plaque at its base, with candles and fresh flowers placed there regularly by the devout. It made its way to guidebooks, with tourists stopping to photograph the landmark on their way to the Silent City of Mdina or the Ta’ Qali Crafts Village nearby. Today, the Crucifix Tree is still found on the same road, in a slightly different location. However, it is missing its head and roots. Only the trunk remains, with the plaque, flowers and candles remaining fixtures. Although it’s not quite as glorious as it used to be, the devout still visit it faithfully. See the Jesus Tree and decide for yourself whether it really resembles the Christ on the Cross. It is found on the tree-lined road leading from Attard to Saqqajja Hill in Rabat. It can be found to the left about half way up the hill. It even has a convenient little lay-by beside it for easy parking.

St. Paul in Malta

St. Paul’s Cathedral in Rabat

According to Acts 28, Paul the Apostle was being taken to Rome to be tried as a political rebel, but the ship carrying him and some 274 others was caught in a violent storm only to be wrecked two weeks later on the Maltese coast. All aboard swam safely to land. The site of the wreck is traditionally known as St. Paul’s Island, and is marked by a statue commemorating the event.

The welcome given to the survivors is described in the Acts of the Apostles 28 by St. Luke, the writer of the book of Acts;

“And later we learned that the island was called Malta.

And the people who lived there showed us great kindness, and they made a fire and called us all to warm ourselves… ”

As the fire was lit, Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake but he suffered no ill effects. The islanders took this as a sign that he was a special man. This scene is depicted in many religious works of art on the Islands. According to tradition, the Apostle took refuge in a cave, now known as St. Paul’s Grotto in Rabat, Malta.

During his winter stay, he was invited to the house of Publius, the Romans’ chief man on the Islands. It was here, according to tradition, that Paul cured Publius’ father of a serious fever. Publius is then said to have converted to Christianity and was made the first Bishop of Malta. The Cathedral of Mdina is said to stand on the site of Publius’ house.

Lovers of Music

A two man band entertaining tourist at the Republic Street in Valletta

The tourism state of Malta not only boasts of its historical sites of interest but also of their love for music.  Right at the heart of the city of Valletta, a two man band is spotted entertaining visitors and tourist to the city with musical tunes, both old and new. The artist through these music solicit for financial favours from those who are touched to make a donation.

The Rainy Morning Departure

My Rabat visit closed proceedings for the day and it was time to begin packing for the early morning departure from Malta to Istanbul. By a quarter to 7:00am, all team members were downstairs ready for the airport. Though a rainy morning, the Ghana High Commission staff kept to their time for our pick up to the airport. After a smooth process to complete departure formalities, the team was airborne on flight TK1370 at about 10:30am Maltese time after an hour delay from the advertised departure time of 09:30am.

The Flight Scare from Istanbul to Accra

Passengers of flight TK 629 arguing with Turkish Air Ground Services Officers to change the plane

Flight TK 629, scheduled to depart Istanbul to Accra at 15:55 local time in Istanbul (12:55 GMT), was rejected by the passengers because while a section of them were boarding the flight, because several noticed that some of the flight’s fuel tanks were leaking. The protest of the passengers led to the captain of the flight asking all passengers to disembark to the waiting area of the airport. After 20 minutes,   the Turkish Air Ground Services moved all the passengers in a bus for boarding on the same aircraft that had been spotted with a fuel leakage problem. The passengers refused to board same demanding that the plane be changed entirely before they board the flight. The Turkish Air Ground Services was forced to move us back to the airport waiting area while it worked to replace the flight. After about an hour and a half, the passengers got what they wanted. Flight TK 630 replaced Flight TK 629 and passengers willingly boarded same. After over two (2) hours of delay, the team was finally 36 thousand feet above sea-level at about 18:40 Turkish time (15:40 GMT). From our initial estimated time of arrival of 20:30 GMT, the team arrived in Ghana at 23:00 hours GMT.

My Take

The writer, Wilberforce Asare

Malta, the “Ancient State” has but one strength and that is tourism. With all it Biblical, Roman and ancient landmarks, the small island and Mediterranean state attracts huge investments into its economy through the millions of tourists and visitors who pass through the country all year round. Malta, from the writer’s perspective, has identified what makes them unique and is leveraging on it big time. What are the strengths of Ghana and what makes us unique? What are the tourist sites we have and what are the ancient landmarks in our beloved country that can be positioned to attract the level of tourist attraction and direct investment the Maltese economy is enjoying? Your guess is as good as mine.

The pages of my journey notes are shut for now in anticipation of the next destination.

Chao, Chao!

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Wilberforce Asare