Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has highlighted the extensive bilateral benefits that Ghana and Zambia stand to gain from the ten Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed during President Mahama’s three-day state visit to Zambia.
The agreements, spanning multiple sectors, are set to deepen cooperation, strengthen historical ties, and drive tangible economic and cultural outcomes for both nations.
The visit marked a strategic milestone in Ghana–Zambia relations, building on the legacy of Kwame Nkrumah and Kenneth Kaunda while shaping a forward-looking partnership tailored to the contemporary needs of citizens.
One of the most notable outcomes is the Pan-African visa-free travel arrangement, which allows citizens of Ghana and Zambia to spend up to 30 days in each other’s countries without a visa. This policy is expected to facilitate tourism, business engagements, and cultural exchange, strengthening people-to-people connections and fostering greater understanding between the two nations.
In the economic domain, the fintech agreements signed between Ghanaian and Zambian companies are valued at over $50 million in the short term and are projected to create approximately 8,000 jobs. This partnership aims to boost entrepreneurship, support innovation in digital finance, and enhance the capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises in both countries, creating tangible opportunities for economic empowerment.
Agreements on natural resource management focus on maximizing value addition while promoting environmentally sustainable practices. By ensuring responsible extraction and processing of minerals and other resources, both nations are working to secure long-term economic benefits and protect the environment, while enhancing regional competitiveness in the extractive sector.
The defence cooperation agreement establishes new avenues for collaboration between the armed forces of Ghana and Zambia. This includes joint training exercises, intelligence sharing, and coordinated security initiatives, aimed at enhancing regional stability and building the operational capacity of both militaries in addressing contemporary security challenges.
Ghana has committed to providing technical assistance in the establishment of a Minerals Commission and a Gold Board in Zambia, strengthening governance, transparency, and regulatory oversight in the Zambian mineral sector. This initiative is expected to enhance the country’s ability to manage its mineral resources efficiently and responsibly.
Similarly, Zambia will offer technical assistance to Ghana in solar energy regulation and scientifically improved seedling production, supporting Ghana’s renewable energy initiatives and agricultural productivity. These exchanges reflect a mutually beneficial partnership where each country leverages its expertise to advance national development priorities.
Both nations have agreed to establish new trade corridors, positioning Ghana and Zambia as hubs that connect Western and Southern African markets. These corridors are designed to improve trade efficiency, reduce logistical barriers, and expand access to regional markets, creating a foundation for sustained economic growth and regional integration.
To further enhance trade, the countries signed an agreement to standardize product certification, ensuring that goods exported between Ghana and Zambia meet mutually recognized quality standards. This measure will increase consumer confidence, facilitate smoother trade flows, and boost the competitiveness of products from both nations in regional and international markets.
The Bilateral Air Services Agreement will enhance aviation connectivity through the establishment of direct flight routes. This agreement is expected to strengthen tourism, improve business travel, and deepen economic ties by providing efficient and reliable air links between the two countries.
Finally, Ghana will host a Fugu and Kente Trade Exhibition in Zambia, building on the overwhelming interest in Ghanaian traditional attire generated during President Mahama’s visit. President Hakainde Hichilema’s public expression of intent to place orders demonstrates high-level appreciation for Ghanaian culture, and the exhibition offers an opportunity to showcase Ghana’s vibrant cultural heritage while promoting trade in artisanal goods.
Minister Ablakwa emphasized that the agreements collectively mark a milestone in Ghana–Zambia relations, blending historical friendship with strategic initiatives that promise economic growth, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation for years to come.
Related Posts
