Ghana, four countries pursue new deals in trade, transport and security

Ghana has opened discussions on a range of bilateral cooperation initiatives with Sweden, Slovakia, Finland and Thailand following engagements with the four countries' newly appointed non-resident ambassadors.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the development in a Facebook post on Tuesday, November 10, after receiving the letters of credence of Anna Westerholm of Sweden, Martin Podstavek of Slovakia, Sanna Selin of Finland and Thirapath Mongkolnavin of Thailand.

Among the proposed agreements, Ghana and Slovakia are preparing to begin negotiations on a visa waiver arrangement, while the European country is expected to host a business forum with Ghana within the next two weeks to explore opportunities in automotive, banking and pharmaceuticals.

The two countries are also considering cooperation on bus supplies and the establishment of a vehicle assembly plant in Ghana. Engagements with Sweden will focus on railway development, artificial intelligence, agribusiness, digitalisation of revenue administration and defence, alongside cooperation under President John Mahama's New Economy initiative.

Ghana and Finland, meanwhile, intend to strengthen existing ties in education, technical and vocational training, fintech incubation, maritime security and counterterrorism.

Mr Ablakwa said Ghana would also work with Thailand to advance its application for BRICS partnership, leveraging Thailand's experience as an official partner nation of the bloc.

Other areas of cooperation include political consultations, knowledge-sharing on rice production to reduce Ghana's reliance on imports, labour mobility arrangements and fisheries development, with particular attention to increasing local canned fish production.

The Minister said the engagements formed part of efforts to expand Ghana's diplomatic relations into practical partnerships that support investment, industrial growth and job creation.