Dolidol, a Moroccan firm specializing in the production of mattresses and sponges, has bought the Nigerian company “Moka,” which operates in the same sector and is regarded as a leader in its field in Nigeria, in a $60 million agreement.

Palmeraie holdings Group, which owns Dolidol, announced the signing of an acquisition contract with Nigerian conglomerate MOKA via its Dolidol subsidiary, cementing the company’s position as an African leader in the polyurethane foam and mattress business.

According to a report received by SNRTnews with a copy of the holding, which is based in Casablanca, this process comes within the concept of advancing the “international countries” strategy for geographical diversification on the African continent.

Dolidol, which was created in 1972, now has 7 production units in 5 African nations, including Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire, as a result of this acquisition.

Since 2016, the company has been present in Côte d’Ivoire, using its Ivorian subsidiary as a platform for distribution and catering in surrounding West African markets such as Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and Liberia.

Dolidol’s acquisition of the Nigerian company Moka continues its expansion in West Africa, with a massive market presence of approximately 200 million Nigerians. Dolidol’s growth into East Africa continues with the acquisition of a controlling stake in an Ethiopian active capital, stating that Ethiopia is the second and most populated African market.

Dolidol is also looking to purchase another actor in Uganda, allowing it to distribute and sell in adjacent countries like Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania. “Today’s announcement represents an important stage in the life of our company, because it is the announcement of the birth of an undisputed African champion, with a strong presence in North, West, and East Africa, and a favorable strategic position to best serve the growing African market,” said  Berrada Sounni, President of Palmeraie Holding.

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The Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Ghana commemorated twenty-second anniversary of His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s accession to the Throne of the North African Kingdom on Friday, July 30th.
The Ambassador, Her Excellency Mrs. Imane Ouaadil, reflected on the last 22 years under His Majesty’s enlightened leadership, during which Morocco experienced a wave of reforms that set the country on a dynamic development path, in a speech delivered on this occasion. She stated that infrastructure modernization, the launch of several sectoral strategies, and the massive renewable energy program all prompted to bolster the economy, support growth, and prepare the Kingdom for the future.
The diplomat noted that this year’s celebration coincides with the recent presentation of the new development model for a more prosperous Morocco before His Majesty. She stressed that this model reflects the uniqueness of the Kingdom’s institutional democratic model, in which the Monarchy is the centerpiece of the State, the symbol of the Nation’s unity, the guarantor of the balance of power, and the bearer of the long-term strategic vision.
She went on to explain that the new development model is comprised of specific development goals that would propel the Kingdom into the top third of various global rankings by 2035. “These objectives include doubling the GDP per capita by 2035, ensuring that more than 90% of pupils master elementary skills and competencies by the end of primary school, increasing the number of doctors per inhabitant to reach WHO standards, bringing the informal employment rate down to 20%, boosting the participation rate of women from 22% in 2019 up to 45%, and achieving a more than 80% satisfaction rate among citizens with respect to the administration and public services”, she said.
Concerning Morocco-Ghana relations, the Moroccan head of mission praised the Ghanaian authorities for their tremendous efforts to combat the pandemic and alleviate its economic burden on Ghanaians.
She emphasized the importance of Ghana and Morocco strengthening their cooperation in all areas, particularly the health sector. “The challenges raised by the Covid-19 crisis and the risks of future health crises make it now urgent to strengthen our regional cooperation in developing our nations and Africa ‘s health systems’ capacity for surveillance, prevention and resilience to meet our needs”, she said.
Due to the Covid situation, the celebration was held in the open air, with a few members of the Moroccan community and Moroccan scholarship alumni in attendance, and lasted less than 2 hours. All covid protocols were strictly followed.

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Accra- the suspension, if not ejection, of “SADR”, refers to armed group has no proportion in sovereign state, from African Union (AU) should not be accounted as taboo or an unachievable goal, said Tuesday the participants in a seminar held in Accra on the theme “the Compulsory Economic Recovery: How can the solution of the Sahara issue boosts African’s Regional and Continental Integration?”.

The participants in the event hosted by Ghanaian think tank Imani Centre for Policy and Education put in this regard the admission into the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), and its maintenance by the AU, which is a source of barriers and division.

According to a press released by the Imani Centre for Policy and Education, the participants of the AU should correct this “cumbersome legacy and historical miscarriage”

Thus, the interception, if not ejection, of the “SADR”, an armed group with no attributes of a Sovereign State, must not be considered as taboo or an inaccessible objective, they mentioned it.

“Its fulfilment is not intent on being an exclusively Moroccan ambition but one that drives African States to put an end to superfluous divisions, and to stop the instrumentalization of an organization which is supposed to serve a Pan-African ideal and goal.”

“The political deadlocks, such as Sahara issue, are, today, a major obstruction to African’s economic integration”. The participants of this event said.

They shed on light in this point the need to find realistic solutions to this longstanding issue, which can only make a gap in African’s regional and continental integration, especially in the current context, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic’s economics and social repercussions.

Many participants underlined that the resolution of the Sahara issue a needful step to support the continent’s economics integration, in regard to its current dynamics marked by the exclusively of the United Nations process and the pre-eminence of Moroccan Autonomy Plan as a sincere realistic, credible, and inclusive political solution.

In the current context, mark by the urgency of economic revival -for the unity, consolidation and the general safety of the continent –the recent event in Guerguerat demonstrates the need to solve the political deadlocks and fruitless ideological positions, they pointed out.

The Participants analyses: the three-weeks of obstruction by Polisario of an important and strategic road – connecting Europe, North Africa and Western Africa – put the neighbouring countries, the region and the whole continent’s economic security at risk.

It also showed the significance and weight of cooperation between Morocco and west- African countries, the source added.

Moreover, the participants deliberated the solutions available to the AU to rebalance its position on the affair, and play its neutral role in contributing to enhance a lasting solution to dispute that has been obstructing the AU’s functioning as well as the continent’s overall integration.

Due to the dynamics around the Sahara issue, the participants highlighted that the United Nations Security Council process could be supported by Ghana’s contribution to reach to final solution, in light of its upcoming non-permanent membership in the Security Council.

The incident bought together several Ghanaian and West-African, stakeholders, including prominent policymakers, experts, academics, business leaders, think tank and civil society representatives from the Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Senegal.

The seminar attempted to discuss the African Union’s current issues in an objective and scientific matter, in a highly intellectual and fact-base exercise with reliable experts and influential decision-makers. Accra being the host of African continental free Trade Agreement’s (AFCFTA) secretariat, the debates focused on the challenges of regional and continental economic integration, with more focus on the role of regional Economic Communities.

The participants insisted on necessity of integration and called for the full implementation of the AFCFTA and its expectations from any deadlocks that hinder the continent’s integration ideal on the ground.

Whilst economics combination represents an emergency and milestone in consolidation and development of African, it would be risked should the AU not rationalize its institutional arc.

Based on the debates, the integration of such architecture makes it imperative for the AU to complete its institutional reform and construct its resilience against separatist and secessionist agendas, which are a threat in several African countries.

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, held talks yesterday Tuesday, May 25^th, with the Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway.

During the first meeting with the Ethiopian minister, Bourita noted the progress made in the implementation of bilateral cooperation agreements, especially after the visit of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to Addis Ababa in 2016. The two ministers also agreed to continue maintaining this cooperation in sectors of priority such as education, vocational training, infrastructure and agriculture in addition to renewable energies and decentralized cooperation.

After recognizing the enormous potential at the level of bilateral trade exchanges, investments and economic cooperation, the two ministers reaffirmed their common commitment to continue developing their economic partnership by creating an environment more conducive to mutual investments, encouraging investment and taking advantage of the opportunities offered by markets and infrastructure, as they welcomed at the same time a proposal regarding the establishment of the Moroccan-Ethiopian Business Council.

On the other hand, Mekonnen Hassan praised the joint project between Ethiopia and the OCP Group, which established a fertilizer production plant in Dire Dawa, thanking the Kingdom for its support in the agricultural field, stressing that this project represents an ideal model for South-South cooperation.

Moreover, the two ministers valued the creation of the Moroccan-Ethiopian Coalition for Sustainable Energy Access, which promotes universal access to clean and reliable energy, and expressed their strong determination to develop and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of renewable energies.

The two ministers highlighted the great importance of the joint Moroccan-Ethiopian committee for cooperation as a mechanism to strengthen the existing partnership between the two countries and to explore new areas of cooperation. In this context, they agreed to hold the first session of the committee at an agreed date.

As for the second meeting with Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, the two ministers noted the distinctive friendship and solidarity relations existing between Ghana and Morocco, which were further strengthened through the visit of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in February 2017 to Accra, which culminated in the signing of 25 legal documents that include governmental and other agreements related to the partnership between the public and private sectors in various areas of cooperation.

On the other hand, the two parties welcomed the results of the general elections that Ghana witnessed on December 07, 2020, which took place in an atmosphere of freedom, transparency and respect for the popular will, thus dedicating African optimism based on the political reforms launched by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Bourita congratulated the Republic of Ghana on its choice to be home to the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as its recent reelection for a second term as Head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), highlighting the personal commitment of President Akufo-Addo in his capacity as chair of the group to find a solution to the political crisis in Mali.

For her part, Botchway reiterated Ghana’s strong support for the AU Resolution No. 693, adopted by heads of state during the 31st Union Summit in July 2018, and which stated the UN’s exclusive supervision, as a consensual framework, on the series that would lead to an acceptable political, realistic, pragmatic and definitive solution to the Saharan issue.

And based on the desire of the two parties to establish an economic partnership based on mutual benefit, it was agreed to strengthen cooperation in the priority sectors such as agriculture, tourism, health, vocational training, energy and mining.

The two ministers stressed the importance of implementing the Moroccan-Ghanaian Economic Council with the aim of encouraging the private sector in the two countries to explore other investment opportunities and strengthen partnerships between the public and private sectors, which would constitute a model for South-South cooperation in Africa.

At the multilateral level, Bourita and Botchway pledged to ensure optimal coordination of their actions and support each other within regional and international bodies, as well as to promote the partnership between the two countries in the field of peace and security.

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On April 27^th, Her Excellency Imane Ouaadil, Ambassador of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to Ghana hosted an interfaith Iftar at the Moroccan Residence in Accra to celebrate the Holy month of Ramadan; a symbol of conviviality and fraternity.

The event was honored by the presence of three prominent figures; namely Dr. Mustapha Ibrahim, President of the Ghanaian branch of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Oulema, His Excellency Archbishop Msgr. Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński, Apostolic Nuncio in Ghana and Rabbi Yisroel Noach Majesky.

After the performance of al-Maghrib prayer, Ambassador Ouaadil gave a welcoming speech, highlighting, in this regard, the meaning of the Holy month of Ramadan for Muslims who recommit themselves to their faith during this period, following days of discipline with nights of gratitude for the gifts that Allah bestows upon them.

The Moroccan diplomat also underlined that Ramadan with its dedication to fasting, prayer and almsgiving, is also a month for strengthening the spiritual bonds bringing Muslims, Christians and Jews together.

In the same context, Ambassador Ouaadil stressed that Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty, Commander of the Faithful, King Mohammed VI may Allah Assist Him, is deeply committed to the values of mutual understanding, human fraternity and harmonious coexistence which have been proclaimed and taught, throughout the Kingdom’s history, in order  to foster brotherhood among the Sons of Abraham.

The Iftar was also attended by dignitaries from the Office of His Eminence the National Chief Imam and Grand Mufti of the Republic of Ghana, officials from the Ghanaian branch of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Oulema, members of the media and other notable guests.

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The Order of Ouissam Alaouite is a military decoration which is bestowed by His Majesty the King upon civilians and military officers who have displayed heroism in combat or have contributed meritorious service to the Kingdom of Morocco.

Today, Friday March 12th, the Moroccan Embassy in Ghana shared via a post on Twitter that Her Excellency Imane Ouaadil, Ambassador of Morocco to Ghana, hosted a ceremony at the Moroccan Residence to award His Excellency Stephen Yacubu, former Ambassador of Ghana to the Kingdom of Morocco, with the “Order of Ouissam Alaouite”, bestowed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

After welcoming the guests, the Moroccan diplomat delivered an inaugural address underlining that bestowing such a prestigious decoration upon the Ghanaian ambassador conveys the importance attached by the highest authorities in Morocco to bilateral relations between the two countries.

Ouaadil highlighted the achievements of the former ambassador, stating that “during his tenure in Morocco, H.E. Ambassador Yacubu was committed to the development and diversification of the excellent relations between the two countries”.

In addition, the Moroccan Ambassador warmly congratulated Yacubu for being nominated by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo as Upper East Regional Minister, and wished him much success in his future endeavours.

For his part, Yacubu expressed his sincere gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and to His Majesty’s Ambassador to Ghana H.E. Imane Ouaadil for this prestigious and significant award.

It is noted that many prominent figures attended the event, including the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, President of Ghana Morocco Old Students Association (GHAMOSA), high ranking members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as a number of media representatives.

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In her interview with MoroccoTelegraph news outlet, Ambassador of Morocco to Ghana, Imane Ouaadil, expressed her views concerning bilateral relations between Morocco and Ghana and the work being done to promote such deeply-rooted ties.

As the Ambassador of Morocco to Ghana, tell us more about the bilateral relations between the two countries and the role of the Embassy in promoting them?

Ghana and Morocco have come a long way since 1961 when Ghana’s first President Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah and Morocco’s King Mohammed V played a crucial role in the creation of the Organization of African Unity now the African Union and the emancipation of Africa.

Today, both countries are equally committed to good neighborliness, regional economic integration, and the maintenance of peace and security in the continent. Ghana and Morocco have enjoyed mutually-beneficial political and trading relations since independence. Besides, Ghana remains one of the kingdom’s top three trade partners within the ECOWAS bloc.

Regarding our bilateral cooperation, significant progress has been made in the last few years. The official visit of His Majesty King Mohammed VI may God Assist Him, in February 2017 gave fresh impetus to our bilateral ties.  The implementation of all the 25 agreements signed during the said visit will, certainly, further contribute to the reinforcement of our partnership.

The Moroccan private sector is present in Ghana through key sectors like: agriculture, renewable energy, building materials, banking, and insurance. More Moroccan companies are showing great interest in Ghana and the Embassy is ready and very keen on assisting the Moroccan companies interested in investing in Ghana. The Embassy also encourages Ghanaian businesses to explore economic partnerships and investment opportunities in Morocco.

Promoting education, socio- cultural understanding between our two peoples is also an interesting aim the Embassy is pursuing.  Under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco has attached great importance to educational cooperation with Ghana, and that has become a very important segment of our relations. During the academic year 2019- 2020 around eighty Ghanaian students enrolled in Moroccan universities and specialized high education institutes. For the academic year 2020-2021 Morocco maintained its 90 scholarships offer to Ghanaian students despite the coronavirus pandemic. 20 of these scholarships are strictly dedicated to vocational training.

On the cultural level, an interesting exchange takes place between Morocco and Ghana. A Ghanaian-born musician artist Reuben YemohOdoi has settled in Morocco. Mr. Odoi has made a name for himself in Casablanca by fusing Moroccan, Ghanaian, and contemporary hiplife and Afrobeat music into an instrument-forward style of music.

In Casablanca there is an amazing mural designed by the immensely talented Ghanaian artist Mohammed Awudu during the Casamouja Festival 2019 in Morocco. The President of Visa for Music, Mr. Brahim Mazned visited Ghana recently to meet with Ghanaian artists and explore the prospects of cooperation in the field.  With the AU’s theme of the Year 2021 being “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want”, more cultural exchanges between Morocco and Ghana are expected.

The people to people dynamic is what we deem crucial to the strengthening of our bilateral ties. We are having meetings and engaging discussions with Moroccan and Ghanaian decision makers and other stakeholders to further pursue this agenda.

According to your Excellency’s work experience in Ghana, how do Ghanaian people perceive Morocco and Moroccans?

Moroccans living in Ghana are very well integrated in the country. They live in peace and harmony with the friendly people of Ghana.

Though small in number, their presence and contribution to the society they live in is tremendous. They bring in the Moroccan cultural richness and diversity. The Ghanaian people have discovered Morocco thanks to our fellow citizens living in Ghana.  Our Ghanaian sisters and brothers came to appreciate Moroccan unique cuisine, traditional caftans and other garments and handicrafts owing to the efforts of our Moroccan diaspora in Ghana and through their individual and community endeavors.

During the darkest hours of the pandemic last year, the Moroccan community has come forward to assist their fellow Moroccans who were stranded in Ghana. The Moroccan owned companies have also generously contributed to the Ghana Government Covid-19 Fund, and this has undoubtedly consolidated the perception of Moroccans in Ghana as a hospitable and generous people.

The Moroccan Embassy in Ghana is also strongly committed to promoting the various assets of the Kingdom of Morocco notably as a beacon for peace and tolerance, and a reliable and trustworthy partner in business and south-south cooperation.

 What effect the AfCFTA would have on the economic relations between Morocco and Ghana?

 In His speech at the extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the AU on the AfCFTA in 2018, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God Assist Him, underlined that “Morocco believes in co-development based on inter-African cooperation and economic complementarity, on active solidarity and the pooling of means and efforts”. I personally think that Morocco and Ghana have all the genius and resources to achieve sustainable development goals and sustainable growth for both countries and for the whole region if they put their efforts together, tighten their already existing economic ties and explore new avenues of cooperation.

How does the Moroccan Embassy in Ghana work to implement His Majesty’s vision to make of the Kingdom a gateway to Africa?

 In his famous speech to the African Union upon the return of Morocco to its institutional family, His Majesty Mohammed VI, May God Assist Him, invited all “African nations to join Morocco’s dynamism and give new impetus to the whole of our continent” stating that Morocco has “opted to share and transfer its know-how offering to build a safe, solidarity-based future”.

At the Embassy of Morocco in Ghana we advocate enhanced economic cooperation between Morocco and Ghana. Our two peoples deserve that we don’t spare any effort in coordinating our efforts to bring them more prosperity, well being and development. To our Ghanaian partners, officials and businessmen, we promote Morocco’s strategic position, at the crossroad of Africa, Europe, the Arab world and America, especially along the west coast of the Atlantic, which could be a platform for Ghana towards these regions.

The Moroccan businessmen and women and other stakeholders should also acknowledge that Ghana with a population of 30.1 million is one of the world’s fastest growing economies. It expanded by an estimated 7.4% in 2019 according to IMF data. The country is also the biggest recipient of foreign investment in West Africa and is currently well positioned to become the prime regional hub for financial services, logistics and manufacturing within the next decade. Stability, solid economic growth, major investment projects in the resource sector and a fertile tech ecosystem support the country’s vision. That is to say that business opportunities; joint ventures and partnerships abound and should be seized.

From your own perspective and from available data, how do you perceive the future of Morocco-Ghana relations?

 Morocco and Ghana share the same values and aspirations; they are both deeply committed to regional integration and the pursuit of sustainable prosperity for the African people and see eye to eye on the issues facing the continent, such as rampant terrorism, illegal and unorganized migration or climate change. I am confident that the ongoing dynamic between Morocco and Ghana will bring our two countries to work together and explore new and untapped opportunities for the sake of our peoples’ prosperity and well being. The future of our bilateral will definitely be brighter!

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