Ghana has moved to strengthen its international relations and spur domestic economic growth following the official reception of Open Letters from four newly designated non-resident Ambassadors.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa received the diplomatic credentials of the envoys during a series of engagements held yesterday.
The esteemed diplomats include Her Excellency Anna Westerholm, Ambassador-Designate of Sweden; His Excellency Martin Podstavek, Ambassador-Designate of Slovakia; Her Excellency Sanna Selin, Ambassador-Designate of Finland; and His Excellency Thirapath Mongkolnavin, Ambassador-Designate of Thailand.
Outlining the key outcomes of the diplomatic sessions, the Minister revealed that Ghana and Slovakia have agreed to immediately commence formal negotiations for a Visa Waiver Agreement. Economic cooperation between the two nations is also set to expand, with Slovakia hosting a dedicated Ghana-Slovakia business forum within the next fortnight to target investments in the automotive, banking, and pharmaceutical sectors. Talks are also underway to forge a partnership aimed at delivering buses and establishing a vehicle assembly plant in Ghana.
Reflecting on Ghana’s historical ties with Sweden dating back to the seventeenth century, Mr Ablakwa noted that both nations remain committed to advancing their longstanding partnership. Sweden will collaborate with Ghana to support key pillars of President Mahama’s New Economy initiative, with strategic focal points including railway construction, artificial intelligence investments, agribusiness, defence cooperation, and joint efforts to digitalize revenue administration.
Ghana and Finland also reaffirmed their commitment to solidifying bilateral relations, agreeing to expand existing joint ventures across technical and vocational education and training, fintech incubation, maritime security, and counterterrorism collaboration.
Meanwhile, bilateral discussions with Thailand centred on strategic trade and geopolitical cooperation. The Minister disclosed that Thailand will assist Ghana with its application for BRICS partnership, drawing on its own successful status as an official BRICS partner nation.
Additionally, Ghana and Thailand have agreed to initiate political consultations and share expertise on domestic rice production, a move designed to curb Ghana’s heavy reliance on foreign rice imports while generating local jobs. The two countries will further exchange knowledge on labour mobility partnerships and deepen fisheries cooperation to boost local canned fish production under a specialized framework.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana