Accra: Ghana and Gabon have entered a new phase of their strategic cooperation with the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in Accra. The MoUs were finalized during a three-day state visit to Ghana by Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, at the invitation of President John Dramani Mahama.
According to Ghana News Agency, the agreements included an MoU on Political Consultations and another on Cooperation in Diplomat's Training between the Foreign Service Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana and the Institute of Diplomatic Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in charge of Integration and the Diaspora of Gabon. The documents were signed by Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mrs. Marie-Edith Tassyla-Ye-Doumbeneny, Gabon Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in charge of Integration and the Diaspora.
A communique read by Mr. Ablakwa highlighted that the official visit emphasized the longstanding friendship and cordial relations between the two countries. The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in areas including political and diplomatic consultations, trade and investment, mining, energy, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, maritime affairs, transport, tourism, education, health, defense and security cooperation, environmental protection, climate action, and people-to-people exchanges.
During the visit, the two Heads of State held a direct meeting, followed by official bilateral talks at the Jubilee House in Accra. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening cooperation and promoting sustainable economic development for mutual benefit. Both leaders reviewed the current state of relations and expressed satisfaction with the warm ties between Ghana and Gabon, acknowledging the potential to expand cooperation and agreeing to intensify engagement to translate political relations into tangible economic partnerships.
The two leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral trade and investment, encouraging relevant institutions and private sectors to explore opportunities for expanding commercial exchanges, industrial cooperation, and value addition. They committed to leveraging opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to facilitate intra-African trade and economic integration.
Further, they reaffirmed their commitment to the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognizing the importance of collective African action to promote peace, sustainable development, and shared prosperity. They exchanged views on regional, continental, and international developments and pledged to promote peace, security, constitutional governance, democracy, the rule of law, and sustainable development on the African continent.
Additionally, the leaders underscored the need for African communities to address xenophobic attacks and discrimination that threaten the continent's cohesion and progress. They reiterated their commitment to maintaining close consultation and coordination within the African Union, the United Nations, the AfCFTA framework, and other multilateral fora on issues of common interest, with the aim of advancing Africa's collective interests.
President Mahama commended Gabon's efforts towards national development, economic transformation, and regional stability, while President Nguema praised Ghana's commitment to democratic governance, regional peace, and African integration. During the visit, President Nguema participated in a tree planting ceremony at Jubilee House, symbolizing the enduring friendship between the two nations, and visited the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park to pay tribute to Ghana's first President and a leading champion of Pan-Africanism.
Both Heads of State expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the official visit and reaffirmed their determination to deepen bilateral relations by implementing the understandings reached and sustaining engagement between relevant institutions. President Mahama expressed appreciation to President Nguema for the visit, and President Nguema extended an invitation to President Mahama to visit Gabon, which was accepted with gratitude.