Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, has signed the book of condolence in honour of the late Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, who passed away at the age of 80. Ambassador Smith’s gesture underscores Ghana’s respect for the political legacy of one of South Asia’s pioneering female leaders and reaffirms the strong diplomatic relations between Ghana and Bangladesh.
The book of condolence was opened at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in the United States, where Ambassador Smith also paid a courtesy visit to Bangladeshi Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful Islam. The ambassador’s engagement reflects Ghana’s commitment to maintaining cordial bilateral ties and strengthening avenues for collaboration in trade, diplomacy, and development.
Bilateral trade between Ghana and Bangladesh has seen notable growth in recent years. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), Bangladesh exported $3.42 million worth of goods to Ghana in 2023, with key exports including drilling machines ($628k), packaged medicaments ($617k), and looms ($445k).
Over the past five years, exports from Bangladesh to Ghana have increased at an annualized rate of 27.7%, up from $1.01 million in 2018. Conversely, Ghana exported $38,100 to Bangladesh in 2023, primarily cocoa powder ($20.1k), motor-working tools ($9.16k), and refined petroleum ($8.11k), marking a decrease from $141,000 in 2018.
Efforts to enhance economic engagement have been formalized through agreements between the two countries. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh and Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, signed an accord at Ganabhaban in Dhaka identifying areas for expanded cooperation. The two countries identified various sectors to increase collaborations icluding agriculture, information and communication technology, pharmaceuticals, food processing, jute, leather, and garments.
Ambassador Smith’s signing of the condolence book and engagement with Bangladeshi officials further cements bilateral goodwill while highlighting the potential for deeper trade and diplomatic cooperation. The gesture serves as a reminder of Ghana’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with countries around the globe, honoring historical legacies while advancing economic and strategic interests.
Begum Khaleda Zia, a towering figure in Bangladeshi politics and the country’s first female prime minister, passed away at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. Born on August 15, 1945, in Dinājpur (then in East Bengal), she rose from middle‑class beginnings to become one of the most influential political leaders in South Asia. Zia entered politics in earnest after the assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in 1981, and took over leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), shaping the party into a major force in national affairs.
Zia served as prime minister on three occasions, from 1991 to 1996, briefly in 1996, and from 2001 to 2006, guiding Bangladesh through turbulent periods marked by civil unrest, economic challenges, and natural disasters. Her leadership helped transition the country back to a parliamentary system with the 12th Amendment, and she was widely recognised for her role in fostering multi‑party democracy. Supporters credit her with persisting in the face of political opposition and promoting the BNP’s centre‑right nationalist agenda
Despite her achievements, Zia’s later years were marred by legal battles and health struggles. She was convicted on corruption charges in 2018 and imprisoned, though her sentence was later suspended due to health concerns. Her health had been in decline for years, marked by chronic conditions such as liver cirrhosis, lung and heart infections, arthritis, and diabetes. In late 2025 she was hospitalised with severe complications, prompting extended medical care in Dhaka, where she eventually died on December 30, 2025.
Zia’s passing triggered three days of state mourning across Bangladesh, with flags flown at half‑mast and public prayers for her soul. World leaders, including neighbouring states and international organisations, offered condolences, recognising her as a pioneering female leader whose career spanned more than three decades and whose influence helped shape the modern political landscape of Bangladesh. Her death marks the close of a defining chapter in the nation’s democratic history
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