Celebrating 60 years of Mexico-Ghana diplomatic relations

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Celebrating 60 years of Mexico-Ghana diplomatic relations

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WEDNESDAY, 15TH SEPTEMBER, 2021

H. E. Ambassador Enrique Escorza Dear friends, 60 years ago, Mexico presented a very important proposal to the considera-tion of the Ghanaian government as a response to an ongoing discussion among our Permanent Representatives in the United Nations. I quote: The Governments of Mexico and Ghana, wishing to promote the friendship between the two countries and to promote mutually beneficial exchanges have resolved to establish diplomatic relations at Embassy level.

The Government of Mexico has granted its consent to the designation of Mr. Alex Quaison Sackey as Ambassador of Ghana in our country and will soon designate a person that, with the same rank, will represent Mexico in Ghana.

If the Government of Ghana agrees, this declaration will be pulished simul-taneously in the newspapers of Mexico City and Accra the coming 8 of Au-gust 1961.” End quote.

With this declaration, the governments of Mexico and Ghana expressed a conviction: to jumpstart a unique relationship not only among nations, but among cultures aspiring to know more about each other.

That moment underpinned the commencement of a fruitful dialogue be-tween the proud people of two nations separated by an ocean, but united through the bonds of history.

The establishment of diplomatic relations with Ghana had a special mean-ing for Mexico.

We found in Ghana a new and a vigorous nation that also

expressed loud and clear the importance of international cooperation to boost national devel-opment.

We found a new voice that expressed its unwavering commitment with a rule-based order, with respect of sovereignty, selfdetermination and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

We found in Ghana our new brothers and sisters.

Today we are proud to say that Mexico and Ghana have been able to build a steady, prosperous, and constructive foundation for our relationship after six decades of hard work and dedication.

We are gathered here today to remember and to honour that joyful moment.

The Embassy of Mexico and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana embarked on a creative journey to find the best possible way to

express the strength that unite both countries.

We wanted to do so by creating a very distinctive image. Not just two flags and a number. We wanted to express what we are as unique nations. Not an easy task I must say.

Mexico and Ghana stand proudly on the global stage. We both share a unique heritage, deep roots and values. It is through our people that we thrive, that we become closer despite of the geographical distance. It is through the resilience of our people that we prevail even in adversity.

It is with this in mind, that we designed a logo for our Anniversary as a trib-ute to the contribution of our people to enrichment of the bilateral relation. The logo you are about to see embodies two astonishing representations of the creativity that characterizes our two countries: the Mexican Huichol pat-terns and the beauty of the Ghanaian Kente.

The design combines the number 60 -for the number of years of the rela-tion- with the infinity symbol. We wanted to express that this are the initial sixty years of an endless relation, one that will evolve and will become stronger and stronger over time.

Our textiles, our art, our people, our countries weaving strong ties and ready to move forward to develop a strategic relation is what motivate us to celebrate this day but also the days to come.

Throughout the year, we will be presenting in Ghana different activities that will reflect on our historic achievements, our similarities, our passions and our promising future.

When President Andres Manuel

López Obrador honoured me to become the new Ambassador of Mexico in Ghana he instructed me to reiterate to His Ex-cellency, Nana Addo Dankwa AkufoAddo, President of the Republic of Ghana, the desire to take our relationship to a new level. We sincerely hope that this complex scenario posed by the COVID-19 pandemia does not inter-fere with the desire to see our two great leaders steering our relationship to higher grounds and more productive levels of cooperation.

This is a good moment to kindly ask you Honorable Deputy Minister to con-vey our sincere gratitude to His Excellency President Akufo- Addo and to the Honorable Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchey, our gratitude for their commitment and dedication to the relationship.

They are our true champions in moving our relationship forward and we thank them sincerely for that.

You can rest assured we will not stop in being as creative as possible to ex-plore new ways for collaboration. We will not leave any stone unturned.

Let me conclude by citing an old African proverb that says: Hold a true friend with two hands. Mexico not only embrace with its hands but also with its heart the friendship that binds us inextricably with Ghana. We see the fu-ture with optimism, with the certainty that the best years of our friendship are yet to come.

Happy 60

Anniversary Mexico - Ghana!

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Celebrating 60 years of Mexico-Ghana diplomatic relations

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Mexico and Ghana getting closer through its people

A

Alejandra Salazar Ponce de León. Head of Consular and Cultural Affairs

s we have stated before, culture and social expressions bring us together around the world. It is through our people and their mutual experiences that we manage to come up with vibrant exchanges between countries, even if the geographical location represents a challenge.

Last year, we stressed on the importance of learning about African heritage in Mexico, in order to continue with this effort, on this occasion we want to highlight this mission through its people, through Mexican and Ghanaian voices.

Mexico and Ghana share multiple values. History has shown us there have been complex chapters in the transition of what defines us today. From ancient civilizations, colonization processes, independence up to modernization and globalization,

we have both faced various challenges. Today we stand proudly in the world concert ready to participate more actively.

On the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Mexico and Ghana, we want to address the binational link through its people.

This is why we are honoured to count on the collaboration of different voices from Mexico and Ghana. Meet Dr. Benedicta Lomotey, Senior Lecturer (Spanish Section) at the University of Ghana as well as Professor Adriana Franco Silva, from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Both will share with us their approach regarding the diplomatic relations between our countries.

Readers will also find two significant stories from individuals who literally crossed the ocean to

attain personal goals in Mexico and Ghana respectively proving once again that our diasporas bring us strength as nations.

From the bilateral relation as a subject of study to the testimonial from members of our respective diasporas, we invite you to join us in this significant celebration.

It has been 60 years so far, let’s

keep learning from each other.

Upcoming activities We want you to be part of this 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Mexico and Ghana. Follow us on social media to find the details of our upcoming events which will include:

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Celebrating 60 years of Mexico-Ghana diplomatic relations

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Consular Affairs: An important stage of “new normality” T

he assistance to our nationals abroad represents one of our main tasks as Foreign Service.

As it has been shown, the whole humanity could be easily targeted by worldwide threats such as a pandemic. These are the kind of challenges that demand the best of our capacities in order to avoid risk and fulfil our duties.

After going through repatriation duties last year followed by a period of home-office where technology had been maximized, we found ourselves in this new normality where zoom became

our new best friend and face masks our safe outfit and smiles shared though our eyes.

With the aim to fight the virus, at the Embassy of Mexico in Ghana, health protocols have been implemented with good results.

All of our services are going on as normal, we even have been processing more applications than before COVID-19 following strict adherence to health protocols.

Visas applications and legalization of documents are our most requested services. In this regard, we would like to use this

opportunity to alert readers about a serious scam detected at the Consular Section of this Embassy.

Fake online services have been created for visa applications. The Embassy of Mexico in Ghana does not require online payments, the only valid documents are issued directly at the Embassy premises, be careful with the information you share on line. The following web sites have been detected as scams: https://www.mexicofmm.com https://ivisa.com

We at the Embassy of Mexico in Ghana want you to know we will always be glad to meet someone with an interest in our country. Feel free to ask for travel information, visa application process, cultural activities or any other topic with the letters M-E-XI-C-O on it. We are here to serve. *Alejandra Salazar Ponce de León Head of Consular and Cultural Affairs Embassy of Mexico in Ghana asalazarp@sre.gob.mx

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Celebrating 60 years of Mexico-Ghana diplomatic relations

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OPINION

Ghana and Mexico Relations Adriana Franco Silva (Prof.)

The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart Kwama Nkrumah

K

wame Nkrumah is undoubtedly one of the most admired African men in Mexico. For Mexicans who dedicate themselves to African studies, Nkrumah is a reference for the analysis of the continent.

A man worth knowing his his-tory and thought. A man that invites us to learn more about Ghana and its people. Forty-two years have passed since his death, but he is still present for Mexican African studies. He is remembered for

his fight against imperial forces, recognizing human dignity, and creating imaginaries that propose a world that connects us all. Nkrumah wanted the unity of Africa. Actually, he is also one of the best-known Pan-Africanist leaders in this space of the Earth.

Ghana was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain its independence in 1957. For its part, Mexico was the early Latin American state to recognise it. As a matter of fact, during the 1960s, both countries opened embassies to strengthen relations.

However, in the subsequent decades, both were closed.

Notwithstanding, Ghana-Mexico relations are historical, and recently we have gotten closer. In 2014, Mexico opened an embassy in Accra to bring our governments and people closer (SRE, 2018, p. 43.

Varela, Celorio y Mabire, 2019, p.

947). The Ghanaian and Mexican governments have collaborated mainly on investment and trade, predominantly because Ghana is the second-largest economy of West Africa. Besides, it is an entrance to the Economic Community of West African States and Africa in general (Gobierno de México, 2016).

Mexico is also important because of its economic presence and its proximity to the United States.

Nonetheless, the reinforcement of these relations must transcend the economic topic.

Art and culture are characteristic expressions of Ghanaian and Mexican polit-ical systems (Hess, 2001). Since Nkrumah era, culture was perceived as an el-ement to strengthen the nation. Both in Mexico and Ghana, culture is diverse and rich. Therefore, artistic, social, gastronomic, and musical exchanges will allow us to build bridges to bring our people closer together. To improve the relations between these two countries, it is also necessary to generate hori-zontal links. For Mexicans, in general, Africa is a little-known continent, and much of what is acknowledged is shrouded in stereotypes.

Notwithstanding, Ghana and Mexico are not as different as people might think.

Diplomacy and academy have worked to change the narratives that Mexi-cans have about Africa.

However, we should identify other strategies to con-nect with people.

Cultural and artistic expressions are central to this. For ex-ample, literature is a cultural object which transmits and lets people know other persons, memories, experiences, territories, and stories. Cultural objects acquired significance through cosmovision (or cosmo-senses, as argued by Oyeronke), which is fundamental to transforming social relations (Schwab, 1984, p. 454).

Going back to literature, in the last years, women have reappropriated this space which for many years has been masculine. In Mexico, when we read universal literature, we generally read European male writers. However, we should also get closer to the cultural objects of Africa to understand and reconstruct our history. Yaa Gyasi, one of the youngest GhanaianAmerican writers, has written two novels. Both are translated into Spanish. So, from Mexico, we can come and read their texts. Her first novel, Homegoing, is an excellent material to understanding part of Ghana's history and the people who were forced to come to America.

Even though she describes the long-running history of Africans and Afro-Americans, the story resonates in Mexi-co too.

In Mexico, there are many Afro-Mexicans.

However, it was not until 2015 that the Intercensal Survey of the country acknowledged them. The great majori-ty of Afro-Mexicans are located in Guerrero, Oaxaca and Veracruz, at the south of the country (Gobierno de México & Inmujeres). Probably, many of these people arrived in Mexico many years ago, leaving Ghana, then Gold Coast. With this, I CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

am not assuming that they were Ghanaians. Nevertheless, this shows that the relations between our territories and people are even old-er than we thought.

Therefore, we need to know more about our history and culture to improve our relations. We have many things in common, and we can better understand ourselves each other by knowing our histories and recognising ourselves each other through empathy and respect. *Adriana Franco Silva. Professor at the International Relations Center, Na-tional Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

Member of the Latin-American Observatory of Geopolitics.

Specialist in African Studies.

University Program of Asia and African Studies in Mexico City. afrasi.16e@gmail.com References

Gobierno de México & Inmujeres. Datos de la Población Afrodescendiente en México. h t t p s : // w w w. g o b . m x /c m s / uploads/attachment/file/199489/ Datos_INEGI_poblacio_n_ afromexicana.pdf Gyasi, Y. (2016). Volver a casa.

Barcelona: Salamandra.

Hess, J. (2001). Exhibiting Ghana: Display, Documentary

On the 60th Anniversary of Ghana-Mexico Bilateral Relations Benedicta A. Lomotey (Dr.) Over the centuries, language and communication have served as the key that opens doors to several successful individuals while offering numerous personal, social and business opportunities. This makes the ability to speak any language, especially international languages, an invaluable resource. The Spanish language

is currently the fourth most spoken language worldwide and the highest population of Spanish speakers can be found in Mexico.

This in turn makes Mexico a landmine of opportunities since it is a prominent Latin American nation and strategic ties with the country can indeed offer significant socioeconomic benefits.

In addition to these

and “National” Art in Nkrumah Era. African Studies Review, 44(1), pp. 59-71.

Oyèrónké, O.(2017).

La invención de las mujeres. Una perspectiva africana sobre los discursos occidentales del género.

Bogotá: Editorial en la frontera.

Schwab, G. (1984). Genesis of the subject, Imaginary Functions, and Poetic Languages. New Literary History, 15(3).

SER (2018).

Memoria documental 2012-2018. Acciones de Política Exterior en África, Medio Oriente y Asia Central: Profundización y Diversificación.

Dirección General para África y Medio Oriente.

Varela, H. Celorio, G y Mabire, B. (2019). Entre el discurso oficial y la realidad. Foro Internacional, 59(3-4), pp. 933-958.

socioeconomic benefits, Mexico is a multi-ethnic and multilingual country with a rich patrimony of cultural values that have over the years attracted tourists and made it one of the topmost sites of tourist visits - their music, literary and film productions, food, the Spanish language and other cultural values as well as the political stability are elements that re-flect the colour and warmth that make it a much longed for destination for people of all walks of life. Mexico also has a historical cultural bond with Gha-na (and Africa as a whole) due to the connecting points in our cultures, i.e., as a result of the movement of Africans to Latin America during the slave trade.

These details make the country the home of many, and the word Mexico has become synonymous with attraction, passion, and inclusion.

Given the longstanding ties between Ghana and Mexico and the significant benefits of the bilateral relations for both societies, it is necessary to highlight what both countries have to offer in order to reveal the treasures which, un-fortunately, are yet to be explored exponentially. This is the objective of my ongoing research that seeks to retrace the history of Ghana-Mexico bilateral relations as well as to unearth and underscore the existing economic, politi-cal, educational, and social opportunities that students of Spanish, businessmen, politicians and the general Mexican and Ghanaian public could take ad-vantage of.

Indeed, Ghana and Mexico

have enjoyed a long-standing diplomatic relation-ship of precisely 60 years. On this occasion of the 60th anniversary, there is a cause to celebrate our accomplishments so far. Our realization of strong po-litical ties, evidenced by the bilateral visits that have occurred over the years; our achievements in commercial issues such as the establishment of some Mexican companies in Ghana and the ongoing nixtamalization project; and our attainment of cultural cooperation such as the collaboration between Ghanaian and Mexican artistes are significant successes that we should be proud of. That notwithstanding, stronger ties can be accomplished between both countries and there are greater benefits that can be reaped by both so-cieties once the available opportunities are discovered and harnessed.

Given Ghana and Mexico’s affinities in democracy, political stability, and cultural values, we are but sister countries on different continents. Mexico has a lot to offer to Ghana just as Ghana has several business opportunities that can be explored by Mexicans.

The celebration of this 60th anniversary should signal a welcome to Mexicans all around the world and mark the beginning of a new era of discovery and stronger ties. **Dr Benedicta A. Lomotey is Senior Lecturer, Spanish Section, University of Ghana. Department of Modern Languages. balomotey@ ug.edu.gh

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A glance at our treasured diaspora*

A

s it has always been, society is the live voice of every country. Every individual or collective action taken has a significant impact on how each nation is defined.

Social movements such as immigration have a key role in those definitions.

According to the 2020 census performed by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI in Spanish)

2, 576, 213 Mexicans defined themselves as afrodecendants.

This means there are more than 2 million stories about African heritage in Mexico. We should not just listen to these stories but truly embrace them as part of a strong shared ties.

On the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Mexico and Ghana, we want to hear directly from those who have experienced

the journey between these two “distant” countries, those who have accepted the challenge of the promising but unknown future by involving themselves and their families in an adventure across the ocean. We invite you to know the story of Kamel, born and raised in Kumasi and now a Mexican citizen or that of Sharon, an incredible young Mexican woman who decided to begin professional projects in

Accra.

Those are treasured testimonials full of lessons for both countries. The more we know about each other the more we can reach mutual benefits.

Let’s go! *Alejandra Salazar Ponce de León Head of Consular and Cultural Affairs

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About Kamel Ibrahim. Ghanaian / Mexican. Business man When and how was the first time you heard about Mexico? What did you imagine?

I knew very little about Mexico before I travelled there. I knew only what I saw in movies.

Cowboy hats and horses Tell us about the moment you decided to leave Ghana, why Mexico?

I had an NGO called Worldwide exchange programme for Students (WEPS). I founded it in 1999 when I was in high school. It was during the initial stages of the internet in Ghana. The internet wasn’t popular in Ghana yet.

I had a lot of emails from all over the globe to do exchange programs with them. Most of the organizations were situated in the USA and were very demanding.

I was a student back then and couldn’t meet their requirements.

Financially it was tough.

Finally, an organization called CASA DE LOS AMIGOS from Mexico City wrote to us inviting us to Mexico to do voluntary work with them for 2 weeks as part of their cultural exchange program.

I looked at the proximity with the USA and decided to go. My initial idea was to go for the voluntary program with CASA DE LOS AMIGOS then find my way to the USA after the program.

The program was for 2 weeks and the plans was to go to the USA after that to raise some capital then come back to Ghana and build an office for my NGO so as to meet the requirements necessary to operate.

How was the journey to Mexico?

Do you remember what you thought before landing? Were you afraid?

I communicated with the Embassy of Mexico in Morocco and sent my passport to them via FEDEX. I received a 20 days visa to Mexico. I was very happy.

All flights to Mexico at that time required a transit visa so I tried the German Embassy. I was denied a German transit visa and so I decided to use Air france which departed from Abidjan not Accra. I took a transit visa from the French Embassy in Abidjan (this time I was successful).

I wasn’t afraid but I didn’t know what to expect. I left Ghana at the age of 20 with only 100usd and a bag full of dreams. I didn’t speak any Spanish at all and didn’t know what the future held for me. The

first Spanish I heard on board AEROMEXICO from Paris to Mexico City was “BIENVENIDO” and “gracias”. I only imagined what they meant.

How were your first days? What year did you arrive? Which city did you come to?

If my memory serves me right, I arrived at Mexico on the 22nd of August 2002, the same day my visa was supposed to expire.

Truth be told, I was very very scared. I taught I will be deported for not having enough money and arriving on an almost expired visa.

My experience at the airport with the Immigration officer was awesome. I remember I was wearing a kente shirt with black trousers. It was my first live contact with a Mexican. As soon as I walked up to him, he smiled and asked AFRICANO? I assumed he meant AFRICAN? I replied yes and he said “en serio” I didn’t know what that meant so I smiled and shook my shoulders.

He called his colleague next to him and said “AFRICANO”. I heard BIENVENIDO for the second time from him. I remember him saying “BIENVENIDO A MEXICO” as he stamped my passport.

know you. They ask you a lot of questions about your country.

People invited me to their homes to meet their families and they invited me to eat all the time.

Now that I have travelled the world a little, I can safely say that I haven’t met any people with sense of humour so good than the Mexicans.

How did you learn Spanish? It was difficult? What is your favourite word or phrase in Spanish?

Spanish was difficult but easy at the same time because I was there. Everything was written in Spanish and everyone spoke to you in Spanish.

I stayed with a Mexican family for about 2 years and that helped my Spanish a lot. There was a girl my age at the house who use to correct me whenever I said something wrong in Spanish.

She was my Spanish teacher and sister. She used to laugh at me then say “no se dice asi, guey” hahaha My favourite words in Spanish are.. excelente,¿entonces?,órale, chingón etc.

How did you decide to apply for your naturalization as a Mexican?

TORTAS because it was the first food I found near where I stayed.

Thank God it was there because I loved it. It was delicious.

After staying in Mexico for 3 years, I was convinced that besides Ghana, there was no other place on earth I would rather be than Mexico. And I already had a son called in Mexico so I knew I was grounded in Mexico for life.

So, I started the naturalization process.

What did your initial activities consist of? What were your livelihoods?

What went through your mind when you received your Mexican passport?

I was teaching English to primary school students. We rotated among schools. There were other volunteers from different parts of the world at CASA DE LOS AMIGOS. Japanese, Americans, Europeans etc.

It was fun because after we came back to the house, we sat down at the living room to talk about our various countries. I enjoyed it.

I was very very happy. I felt like I was finally a part of the great culture and nation I admired a lot.

How did you decide to start your own business in Mexico? Tell us about your company.

Except for Teaching English on and off in Mexico, I have always owned my business in Mexico.

Internet café, buying and selling of used cars, language school, selling African arts and crafts, laptop and cell phone accessory shop etc.

For me, owning a business in Mexico is far more rewarding that looking for an employment. It is very easy to own and operate a business in Mexico than in most places thanks to the government and system.

What was the first Mexican food you tried and what did you think of it?

What did you find in Mexico that inspired you to stay?

The people and the food.

The people are very friendly.

Everybody was nice to me. The Mexican hospitality is next to none. They were curious in the beginning and they try to get to

Approximately how many Ghanaians in Mexico do you know? What do you consider to be their main reason for being there?

I will say about 40 families.

Most Ghanaians who stayed in Mexico were transiting to the USA but as they give themselves the opportunity to know Mexico, they give up their American dreams and take up the Mexican dream.

They fall in love with the country and decide to stay. Cupid does his thing later and bam!! lol Now you have children born in Mexico, what do you tell them about Ghana?

They love to listen to my childhood stories and how I was brought up. They ask so many questions about Ghana and how it’s different from Mexico.

My eldest son always dreamt about having his high school education in Ghana. He wanted the experience but English was always the impediment. I use to take him to Belize which was closer so he can have a little feel of what Ghana and people of Ghana looks like.

What do you find in Mexico that reminds you of Ghana? Do you already know how to cook Jollof in Mexico?

Quiet a good question.. I haven’t really laid my eyes on any similarity yet except for their love for colours. Ghana and Mexico are two worlds apart who needs to come together to share more on culture and commerce. There is so much both countries can do together to improve and better each other. Mexico and Ghana have a lot of collaboration to do and a lot to learn from each other.

What has been the main challenge in these almost 20 years living in Mexico?

In the beginning it was the language and cultural differences which I was gradually able to overcome.

The second I will say is the lack of significant presence of Ghana in Mexico. The Ghanaian population in Mexico is very low so we find it very difficult to put up Ghanaian related businesses.

Also, the lack of a Ghanaian Embassy in Mexico is also a challenge.

Exporting from Mexico to Ghana and vice versa is something I will certainly love

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to do but it’s almost impossible due to trade agreements between both countries (I don’t even think there is any) What plans do you have in the short, medium and long term?

Set up a business in both countries so I get to enjoy both.

Promote tourism and cultural exchange between Ghana and

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Mexico Keep being the unofficial voice for both nations while I keep praying to see a better relationship and collaboration among the two countries very soon. fter all these years, what does Mexico mean to you?

Oops..

Mexico means everything to me. Thanks to

Mexico and the Mexican people I have had a better shot in Mexico than I would have in my own birth land.

Mexico takes you in and treat you like one of its own irrespective of race, religion and beliefs.

I speak so much about Mexico that everybody I know wants to visit Mexico before they die.

My friends and family even support Mexico in sports because

of me. They Know what Mexico means to me.

People now know something about Mexico because of me.

Many people add Mexico to my name before I am identified. www.stuweps.com COMO MEXICO, NO HAY DOS. ¡VIVA MEXICO! ¡VIVA GHANA!

About Sharon Santiago. Mexican entrepreneur woman Ghanaian things related to art and crafts.

What are the similarities that you find between Mexico and Ghana?

The similarities there are some good and bad ones, like the fact that there is a lot of trash in some areas or beaches and there is still a lot to learn as a society just like in Mexico. But there’s also good things like the food and the fact that people love eating spicy, maybe even more.

What would you say Mexico can learn from Ghana?

Do you remember the first time you heard about Ghana? Did you know exactly its location?

I do, was through a friend from Mexico. First, I worked for him at a Restaurant in Holbox, later we became friends and he used to play a lot of Afrobeats and talk about the years he spent in Accra.

What was the first thing you imagined when you heard about Ghana?

I thought it was a big city. The descriptions I heard made me think it was a very developed city in comparison to the typical image you have in your head when you know nothing about African countries from first hand.

What motivated you to come to Ghana and settle here?

My main motivation came from wanting to experience life and work in a different country, so far, I only knew Mexico. The stories and experience of my friend made me curious about Ghana and gave a sort of comfort to know he had spent very happy years here, so I felt safe to come by myself and I knew it was a great opportunity to learn and grow professionally.

How would you describe a Mexican woman living in West

Africa?

I think Mexican woman are adaptable and strong, no matter where you come from in Mexico, so living in Ghana is not a challenge in the way o woman would stress about it. We know how to talk to people and also how to respect different cultures and at the same time show our value and help others grow by sharing what we have learned in our country and with our families.

1. What do you find in Ghana that reminds you of Mexico?

The people in Ghana… they’re friendly and curious when seeing people from abroad and that reminds me of Mexicans. The weather is very similar to my region, is humid and we are used to having a lot of mosquitos too so when I got here, I found that very curious. The fact that the beach is very near also reminds me of home in Mérida, Mexico.

What do you enjoy the most about your days in Ghana?

I enjoy the days when I get to learn new words in the local dialects. I like exploring new places in nature like the waterfalls and I like visiting markets and watching of most things are made by hand. I really enjoy learning all

I think the happy spirit from Ghanaians is something to learn. I like the tradition around funerals and how is seen as a celebration of life, although it can be sad for them there is more to it than just wearing black and being silent.

I think is beautiful to see people wearing bright colours and using their best garments for this special occasion.

After three years of experiences in Ghana, what would you say has changed in Sharon?

After 2.5 years in Ghana, I have learned to be more patient with others and with myself. Things work differently and the only way to advance is to adapt but also when it comes to having a

position of responsibility, I had to learn new ways to express myself and lead. From my initial experience working in hospitality in Accra I learned and I changed my plans, being here made me see a bit more clearly what I want to do, how I want to move forward with my professional life and be braver, so I guess it has been a big personal change.

What comes next for you? Tell us about your brand.

I recently started working on my own business, so far is an online store called CHICATANAGH (can be found on Instagram only for now) where I promote my crafts. I’m starting by doing pieces of Macramé which is a type of knitting with the hands and Dreamcatchers. I’m trying to focus on using materials I can find in Ghana and playing with them to make them unique, like using homemade organic materials to dye the textiles and using wood and roots from local stores in the streets, also I want to include the use of some beads and other details made in Ghana. In the next months I will also focus on importing a few typical products from my region in Mexico like Hammocks that are very different than the ones you could find here. @CHICATANAGH

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Visit Mexico and grow experiences* Mexico is one of the world’s favorite tourist destinations, not only for its history, traditions, culture, the warmth of its people and delicious cuisine, but also for the beauty and variety of located throughout its entire territory. It depends entirely on what you want to experience….

Sun&Sea Surrounded by exuberant nature, Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns) and archaeological sites, each beach has something special to offer for all tastes and budgets.

Such is the case of the iconic beaches of the Caribbean Sea that

Archaeological Sites Mexico cannot be conceived without the greatness of its preHispanic cul-tures, which have shaped its history, culture and traditions.

Every part of the country is proof of the profound influence

are characterized by turquoise blue waters, ideal for swimming or snorkeling like those of Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

In the Sea of Cortés you will find beaches that have desert landscapes and are home to a large number of marine species, which makes them suitable for sport fishing and water sports, an

of these ancient civilizations that once inhabited our territory.

At the north between deserts, dunes and mountains there are areas such as Vallecito in Baja California, where you will find cave paintings, or others like Paquimé in Chihuahua and its ceremonial mounds.

example of this is Los Cabos.

If you are looking for options with more moderate waves and more relaxing experiences, the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico such as those of Veracruz are the way to go.

On the other hand, surfers and lovers of strong emotions make the beaches of the Pacific their

In the center of the country between valleys, lakes and forests there are ves-tiges of civilizations such as the Purépecha in Michoacán and the Toltecas in Tula Hidalgo.

The Estado de México is home to Teotihuacán with its imposing pyramids of the sun and the

favorite destination, such is the case of the beaches of Oaxaca Whether your travel plan is to relax in an all-inclusive hotel by the sea, get in contact with nature or simply discover new destinations, the beaches of Mexico have everything for you to experience the best holiday. moon; other sites found in the state are Malinalco, Huamango and San Miguel Ixtapan to mention a few.

In Mexico City, the Templo Mayor is a place where time stands still, between the buildings and streets of the great city, as well as the sites of Tlatelolco, Mixcoac and Cuicuilco.

To the south, the jungle still holds great secrets to discover.

Among the great remains that have been found are Tajín, in Veracruz, Comalcalco and La Venta in Tabasco, and Palenque in Chiapas.

Of course, there are also the great Mayan cities found in the Yucatan Penin-sula such as Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Tulum and Cobá.

So far, there are approximately 193 archaeological sites distributed through-out the country. However, it is believed that there are many that remain hid-den in the jungle or under the asphalt of the big cities.

Be inspired by the great heritage of these extraordinary cultures and discover Mexico through their teachings.

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Celebrating 60 years of Mexico-Ghana diplomatic relations

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Feel the magic The cultural, historical, architectural and gastronomic value of Mexico's destinations is as huge as its territory.

The Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town) designation is awarded to those communities that over time have maintained their original architecture, traditions, history and culture. As well as to those that have been of great relevance to the country’s history.

The Pueblos Mágicos (Magical

WEDNESDAY, 15TH SEPTEMBER, 2021

Towns) are defined as places with great symbolism and legends, they are towns whose historical importance has been fundamental for the development of history and that enhance the national identity in each of its spots. These places have a special magic that connects the visitor with our roots and traditions.

With exceptional beauty, these are destinations that will most definitely captivate you.

Currently throughout the territory there are 132 Pueblos

Mágicos (Magical Towns), whose attractions generate great admiration among both domestic and foreign visitors from all around the world.

You could visit Palenque in Chiapas, Real de Catorce in San Luis Potosí, Taxco in Guerrero, among many others.

These destinations will enchant you with the beauty of their natural landscapes, the incredible precision of their constructions -most of them in the

Baroque style- this is the perfect combination of their Prehispanic past and miscegenation process.

You will learn about ancient civilizations, whose essence remains to this day. You will get to know the work of artisans, whose mastery is passed from generation to generation, and you will delight yourself in the fusion of flavors, which are product of ancient techniques and European influence. *Tourism section by VisitMexico.co

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Take note

Celebrating 60 years of Mexico-Ghana diplomatic relations WEDNESDAY, 15TH SEPTEMBER, 2021