The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, received the Open Letters of the High Commissioner-designate of the Malta, Ronald Micallef, reinforcing decades-old diplomatic relations and signaling renewed momentum to deepen economic cooperation between the two countries.
In his interaction with High Commissioner-designate Micallef on Wednesday, 18th February 2026, Ablakwa reaffirmed Ghana’s readiness to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, maritime affairs, health, education, and transport. He noted that despite the long history of collaboration, actual trade volumes have yet to match the potential both governments see in a strategic economic partnership.
Ghana and Malta formally established diplomatic ties in 1974, marking over half a century of sustained engagement rooted in mutual respect and shared membership of the Commonwealth of Nations. Relations have been reinforced in recent years with reciprocal high commissions, Ghana’s in Valletta and Malta’s in Accra, aimed at strengthening political, cultural and economic links.
According to official data, cumulative trade between Ghana and Malta from 2010 through 2019 exceeded US$318 million, with a positive trade balance of about US$94.6 million in favour of Malta, signalling untapped opportunities for growth, particularly for Ghanaian exports.
Malta’s interest in expanding commercial ties with Ghana has been evident in business missions and trade forums. A TradeMalta delegation hosted in Accra in January 2023 brought 25 Maltese companies across sectors such as ICT, construction, manufacturing, healthcare, environmental services and training, and engaged with over 200 Ghanaian stakeholders at bilateral business forums aimed at identifying investment partnerships.
The High Commissioner-designate underscored Malta’s view of Ghana as a strategic partner in West Africa, commending Ghana’s regional leadership role and democratic stability. He highlighted that Maltese businesses are increasingly exploring opportunities in Ghana’s developing sectors, especially infrastructure, maritime services and education, and pledged to build on frameworks to expand bilateral trade and investment.
Malta, as an EU member state with significant expertise in maritime transport and logistics, and a ship registry among the world’s largest, presents potential collaboration gains for Ghana’s growing port and shipping industry. Shared initiatives in maritime training, safety regulation, and ship registry facilitation could strengthen both nations’ competitive position in global markets.
Both sides also discussed tourism and cultural exchange as avenues for deeper engagement. Tourism contributes significantly to Malta’s GDP and offers potential areas for knowledge sharing, particularly in destination marketing and heritage-based tourism development, sectors Ghana is actively promoting under its national tourism strategy to diversify export revenue and create jobs.
The meeting concluded with assurances from both the Ghanaian government and Maltese envoy to accelerate dialogue, pursue concrete business fora, and implement policies that will translate diplomatic goodwill into tangible economic benefits for both countries.
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