The meeting among other things was to upraise the President on the buy in by some Africa countries which have already triggered processes to facilitate use of the currency, the huge opportunity for Ghana, businesses and critical institutions which can tap into a pool of AKL 105 billion Lumi equivalent to six trillion dollars already been injected into the African economy by the African Diaspora Central Bank (ADCB).
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, welcomed the team and assured the delegation of President Akufo Addo’s interest in the project.
His Excellency Professor Hugh Keku Aryee, in his remarks, after introducing his delegation, recalled a previous encounter with the President during the latter’s tenure as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration over two decades ago, and expressed his excitement to reconnect with him again, but now as the President of the Republic of Ghana.
H.E Hugh Keku Aryee officially informed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo of his historic appointment as the first Ghanaian Trade Commissioner of the Republic of Vanuatu, with an additional responsibility over the West African sub-region. He explained that the Commission’s mandate is to promote trade, tourism, and investments as outlined in the credentials presented to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
H.E Prof. Hugh Aryee also briefed the President about his earlier engagements with key Ghanaian government officials which included visits to the Speaker of Parliament, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ministry of Arts and Culture, and the Ministry of Fisheries. In outlining the focus of the visit, the Vanuatu Trade Commissioner intimated the need for speedy introduction and implementation of the ECO-6 and Lumi in Ghana.
Congratulating the Trade Commissioner on his appointment and enthusiasm, Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, expressed optimism about improved bilateral relationship for mutual economic benefits despite Vanuatu location, far away in in the South-western Pacific Ocean,
The President gave an insightful knowledge and appreciation of the inspiration behind the new Africa and African Diaspora currency when he shared the connections between the image on the currency and Ghana.
President Akufo-Addo noted with interest that, the “ACCOMPONG “on the Lumi currency with the inscription “Bank of Accompong, was the corrupt version of the name Acheampong, a Ghanaian name. He recounted his visit to the Maroons in Jamaica, then as Foreign Affairs Minister years back emphasizing that said the Maroons are Ghanaians who migrated to Jamaica.
Narrating his experience, he recounted his visit to their settlements high up in the mountains, where they found refuge from being captured into the slave trade. He also revealed that the late ex-President Jerry John Rawlings was the first Ghanaian to visit the Maroons of Jamaica.
The two sides agreed that since Ghana has signed and ratified the treaty that initiated the ECO-6 Lumi, the country must benefit from it, especially, at a time, the nation is under the present economic challenges. He subsequently requested for a formal communication be subsequently sent to his office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration for further deliberations and action.
On behalf of the President of the Republic of Vanuatu, the Trade Commissioner presented a specially customised portrait, containing the pictures of the President of Vanuatu and Ghana and which also featured some tourist’s attraction sites of Vanuatu, to His Excellency, the President of Ghana, to cement the new friendship between the two countries.
The delegation from the Vanuatu Trade Commission included Christian Aryee (Special Assistant to the Commissioner), Asiwome Kwame Dzineku (Head of Business Development & Trade Promotion), Belinda Ewoenam Nyamadi (Executive Secretary), Senyo Kofi Ayayee (Head of Marketing), Neo-Nayer Adam-Tandoh (Multimedia Officer), Dr. Moses Okine (Director of Public Affairs), Dr. David King Boison (Project Team Lead & Head of IT), Raymond Ablorh (Head of Communications), Daniel Glover (Marketing & Business Development Consultant), and Bright Amu ESQ (Legal Advisor).
WHAT IS ECO-6
The Economic Community of States, Territories, and Realms of the African Diaspora Sixth Region (ECO-6) was established by Treaty on August 1st, 2019. The Treaty signed and ratified by African Union; AU countries obligates them to implement the ECO-6 Lumi currency. ECO-6 and State of Africa Diaspora (SOAD) adopted the Lumi as the official currency of ECO-6.
The Lumi, as a currency originated from the 6th region representing Africans in the Diaspora of the African Union and is designed to provide stimulus packages to collaborative governments for developmental purposes.
The LUMI is underwritten by 100KWh of solar energy and convertible to 4 grains of gold which in weight is equivalent to 0.2592grams. The current value for 1 LUMI is US$15.96. The Lumi currency implementation process promises to strengthen Africa and African diasporan economies through the injection of stimulus packages to governments, businesses, and citizens of 18 years and above.
Countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and other members of Africa and Africa diaspora have started benefiting from the Lumi (AKL) with over $6.6 trillion equivalent to the USD introduced into 194 countries since 2019.
Individuals and organizations in ccountries such as Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Liberia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and many other nations have received various stimulus packages since its implementation.