By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, Nov 03, GNA – Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama and his visiting German counterpart President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Monday agreed to strengthen diplomatic and bilateral relations between their two nations.
During an extensive bilateral discussion held at Ghana’s Presidency in Accra, President Mahama and President Steinmeier reviewed the current state of Ghana-Germany relations with great satisfaction, and identified new and expanded pathways for their collaboration.
“We reaffirmed the strong bonds of friendship between our two countries, and these bonds are rooted in mutual respect, shared democratic values, human rights, the rule of law, and a common vision for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development,” President Mahama stated during a joint press briefing with his guest, President Steinmeier at the end of their bilateral talks in Accra.
President Steinmeier arrived in Accra on Sunday evening for a three-day state visit to Ghana.
President Mahama said President Steinmeier’s visit marked a significant milestone in the long-standing and exemplary relations between the two nations and reflected the shared commitment to deepening cooperation, friendship, and solidarity for the mutual benefit of their people.
He noted that the Ghana-Germany relation spanned several centuries and had grown steadily and significantly since the formal establishment of diplomatic relations in 1957.
He said Germany had remained a steadfast and reliable partner supporting Ghana’s development through technical and financial cooperation in key sectors such as health, education, vocational and technical training, renewable energy, good governance, and peacekeeping.
President Mahama said these interventions had contributed immensely to institutional development, youth empowerment, and sustainable growth.
President Mahama said he briefed President Steinmeier thoroughly on Ghana’s current economic situation and the Resetting Ghana agenda, which aimed to restore macroeconomic stability, foster inclusive and sustainable growth, and tackle corruption, improve public financial management, and rebuild investor confidence in their economy.
“And I’m pleased to report that we’re making tangible progress on this agenda, and the early signs are promising,” President Mahama said.
“I reaffirmed Ghana’s strong dedication to creating an enabling environment to attract more German private sector investment, particularly within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which is headquartered here in Accra.”
He said the African Continental Free Trade Area offered unparalleled opportunities for German and other businesses to enter a market of over 1.3 billion population across the continent, with Ghana positioned as the strategic gateway and partner.
He said the discussions also focused on Germany’s forward-looking Africa strategy under the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, which prioritizes sustainability, decent employment, gender equality, climate resilience, and peace and security.
“We’ve identified specific opportunities for stronger collaboration in renewable energy, green industrialization, digital transformation, and skills development.” These sectors, President Mahama said were crucial to Ghana’s future, and aligned with global sustainability objectives.
He welcomed the ongoing productive cooperation between Ghana’s Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, and several leading German companies to strengthen technical and vocational education and training for their young people.
Both sides expressed optimism about the upcoming agreement on labour mobility, which will enable safe, respectful, and well-structured employment opportunities for young Ghanaian professionals in Germany while addressing skills shortages in key German sectors.
On his part, President Steinmeier reiterated the importance Germany attached to its relations with Ghana.
He also renewed Germany’s continued support for the Accra Initiative, which aims o prevent spillover of terrorism from the Sahel and to address transnational organised crime and violent extremism in member countries’ border areas.
GNA
Christian Akorlie