Mahama, UK Foreign Secretary Discuss Trade and Investment in London

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President John Dramani Mahama has held talks with United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in London to strengthen Ghana-UK relations, with discussions focusing on trade, investment, sustainable economic growth and shared international priorities.

The meeting followed an earlier engagement between Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Mr Miliband, during which the two officials reviewed bilateral cooperation and discussed progress towards securing an exemption for Ghanaian students and professionals from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

According to the Presidency, President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to building strategic international partnerships that promote shared prosperity. The government has identified stronger economic cooperation and closer diplomatic engagement as important elements of its relationship with the UK.

In a communication on the meeting, the Presidency stated that President Mahama and Mr Miliband discussed ways to strengthen the historic partnership between Ghana and the United Kingdom.

Their discussions centred on expanding trade and investment, promoting sustainable economic growth and advancing global priorities shared by both countries.

Although the Presidency did not disclose specific agreements or new financial commitments arising from the latest meeting, the engagement signals continued efforts to deepen economic and diplomatic cooperation between Accra and London.

The talks build on the UK-Ghana Growth Partnership launched in June 2026 during President Mahama’s working visit to London. The partnership, covering 2026 to 2028, aims to support private-sector-led growth, attract investment, facilitate trade, improve infrastructure and expand skills and education opportunities.

The UK government said the initiative would build on deals worth up to £215 million signed during the Ghana Investment Summit in London. Its priorities include attracting private investment and finance, making trade easier for Ghanaian businesses, supporting industrial growth and expanding skills partnerships.

The latest presidential engagement provides another opportunity for both governments to pursue those objectives, although further details of any new measures discussed were not made public.

Earlier, Hon Ablakwa disclosed progress in negotiations to exempt Ghanaian students and professionals from taking IELTS examinations when seeking relevant opportunities in the United Kingdom.

In a statement following his meeting with Mr Miliband on Wednesday, October 21, the Foreign Affairs Minister said the discussions had provided an opportunity to review bilateral relations and assess areas for deeper cooperation.

He indicated that Ghana had presented evidence demonstrating that it met the minimum statistical threshold for English-language proficiency required for favourable consideration by the UK.

“I am delighted to report that we have made significant progress in the negotiations I initiated for Ghanaians to be exempted from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations for students and professionals.”

He added that both sides remained optimistic about the outcome of the negotiations.

However, the minister did not announce a final agreement, an implementation date or the specific categories of applicants that would qualify for an exemption. The discussions therefore remain an ongoing diplomatic process rather than a confirmed change to UK requirements.

The proposal is intended to ease a requirement faced by eligible Ghanaians pursuing educational and professional opportunities in Britain. Hon Ablakwa had previously raised the matter with the British High Commissioner to Ghana in January 2026.

The two foreign affairs officials also discussed President Mahama’s vision for reparatory justice and the prospects for broader dialogue following a Ghana-led United Nations resolution on the transatlantic enslavement of Africans.

Hon Ablakwa said the discussions examined opportunities for an honest and wider conversation following the landmark resolution, which declared the transatlantic enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity.

The engagement places reparatory justice among the issues Ghana is pursuing through its international partnerships, alongside economic cooperation and other shared priorities.

The minister did not disclose specific proposals, commitments or a timetable arising from the discussion. However, he presented the exchange as part of the two countries’ broader review of bilateral relations and international cooperation.

The meeting also addressed multilateral cooperation and preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled for next month in Antigua and Barbuda.

Hon Ablakwa noted that 2027 would present an important diplomatic opportunity, with Ghana expected to chair the African Union while the United Kingdom assumes the G20 presidency.

The two officials explored shared priorities in light of those roles, which could provide opportunities for engagement on international issues of mutual interest. The discussions reflect Ghana’s intention to strengthen its diplomatic relationships while pursuing economic opportunities, educational cooperation and its position on reparatory justice.

Hon Ablakwa thanked Mr Miliband for his hospitality and reiterated Ghana’s commitment to its longstanding relationship with the United Kingdom. President Mahama’s subsequent meeting with the Foreign Secretary reinforces the government’s focus on maintaining high-level engagement with Britain.

The key areas raised across the two meetings include trade and investment, economic growth, IELTS exemption negotiations, reparatory justice and coordination on international priorities.

While the engagements have highlighted areas of progress and cooperation, the next steps will depend on the outcomes of ongoing negotiations and any concrete measures the two governments agree to pursue.

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