Zimbabwe and Ghana have moved to reset and deepen bilateral
ties after signing 10 cooperation agreements during a state visit by Zimbabwean
President Emmerson Mnangagwa to Accra, in a push to unlock trade and investment
between the two countries.
- Ghana
and Zimbabwe signed 10 cooperation agreements during President Mnangagwa’s
visit to Accra. - The
deals cover sectors including energy, health, tourism, and trade. - Despite
strong political ties, trade between both countries remains very low. - Leaders
say the new agreements aim to boost investment, jobs, and economic growth.
The agreements, signed after talks with Ghana’s President
John Dramani Mahama at Peduase Lodge, span key sectors including energy,
health, tourism, trade, sports, and diplomatic cooperation.
The visit, which began on April 1, signals renewed political
will to translate long-standing historical ties into stronger economic
outcomes.
The two sides also endorsed the agreed minutes of the
inaugural session of the Ghana–Zimbabwe Permanent Joint Commission for
Cooperation (PJCC), a mechanism designed to coordinate and monitor bilateral
engagements.
Under the framework, meetings will be held every two years,
supported by regular consultations between senior officials.
President Mahama said the visit reaffirmed the historical
bond between both countries, rooted in their shared struggle for independence,
but stressed the need to move beyond symbolism.
“We are therefore greatly encouraged by our renewed resolve
to elevate the partnership between our two countries to a higher and more
strategic level,” he said.
He added that discussions between both delegations were
“comprehensive, forward-looking and highly productive,” covering a broad range
of sectors including agriculture, mining, education, defence, and private
sector development.
A key focus of the agreements is economic cooperation, with
both countries seeking to boost trade flows, encourage targeted investments and
increase private sector participation.
A business roundtable held alongside the visit is expected
to help convert policy commitments into commercial partnerships.
Despite strong diplomatic ties, trade between Ghana and
Zimbabwe remains low.
According to data from the Observatory of Economic
Complexity, Ghana exported goods worth about $378,000 to Zimbabwe in 2024,
while Zimbabwe’s exports to Ghana stood at just under $9,000, highlighting the
gap the new agreements aim to close.
The MoUs include cooperation in political and diplomatic
consultations, training for foreign service officers, and partnerships in
health, energy, tourism, sports and archives management.
They also cover trade promotion between ZimTrade and the
Ghana Export Promotion Authority, as well as collaboration on an African
liberation heritage project.
Zimbabwe’s foreign ministry said the agreements are expected
to “stimulate sustainable economic growth, promote industrial development, and
create mutual opportunities for businesses and citizens of Zimbabwe and Ghana.”
Beyond bilateral issues, both leaders discussed global
developments, including rising geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions
and volatility in energy markets.
They reaffirmed their commitment to diplomacy, respect for
sovereignty and adherence to international law.
President Mnangagwa also thanked Ghana for its continued
support in calling for the removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe, a longstanding
issue in Harare’s foreign policy.
While the agreements provide a broad framework for
cooperation, their success will depend on implementation. For both countries,
the real test will be whether the renewed partnership can deliver measurable
gains in trade, investment and jobs in the coming years. – Business Insider
Africa