Ghana and Latvia have agreed to deepen cooperation in economic development, security, and multilateral diplomacy, following high-level talks between Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and Latvia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Baiba Braže, in Riga.
The discussions detailed in a Latvian Foreign Ministry statement took place on February 2, 2026, during a working visit by Mr Ablakwa to Latvia, and covered bilateral relations, trade opportunities, regional security challenges in Europe and West Africa, development cooperation, and collaboration within international organisations.
Welcoming her Ghanaian counterpart, Ms Braže said the meeting built on previous engagements between the two ministers within the Africa–EU Partnership framework and at the Paris Peace Forum, and reflected a shared interest in expanding practical cooperation.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on his working visit to Latvia. We have met previously, both in the Africa-EU Partnership format and at the Paris Peace Forum. Today, we discussed opportunities to deepen economic cooperation between our countries,” she said.
Ms Braže noted that Latvian companies already operate in Ghana, with trade currently dominated by cereals, milling industry products, and electrical appliances. She said Latvia was keen to expand cooperation into higher value-added sectors.
“High value-added industries are developing rapidly in Latvia, including ICT and digitalisation, as well as green technologies, in which Ghana has expressed an interest in cooperation. We would like to further develop cooperation in the areas of agriculture and food processing,” she added.
Security issues featured prominently in the talks, with both ministers exchanging views on the implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine and growing instability in West Africa. Ms Braže described the conflict as having global consequences, particularly for food and energy security.
“We addressed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its consequences for the security of European and African countries, particularly food and energy security. Russia’s war is a colonial, imperial war. Russia is brutally misleading and recruiting citizens of other countries, including African countries, to fight against Ukraine,” she said.
In discussions on international organisations, the Latvian Foreign Minister highlighted Ghana’s role and experience as a member of the United Nations Security Council, stressing that both countries share common principles.
“International law, opposition to changing borders by force, and new security challenges are shared priorities for both countries,” she said.
Mr Ablakwa, in turn, briefed his Latvian counterpart on security developments in West Africa, including terrorist threats in the Sahel region, which he noted have direct implications for European security. The ministers also discussed Russia’s destabilising influence in the Sahel and its wider impact on regional stability.
Development cooperation was another key area of engagement, with Latvia pointing to growing interest among its institutions and project implementers in working with African partners. Latvian officials shared lessons from a recent development cooperation project in agriculture implemented in Ghana.
Mr Ablakwa’s visit to Latvia, which run from February 2 to 3, includes a strong economic focus, with meetings held with representatives of Latvian businesses and innovation hubs in sectors such as information technology and energy. The Ghanaian Foreign Minister also visited the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia as part of the official programme.
