According to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, President Mahama’s visit to Zambia last week has birthed new Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries.
The President visited the southern African country at the invitation of President Hakainde Hichilema from February 4 to 6.
Key highlights of the visit were an address to the National Assembly of Zambia; a meeting with members of the Ghanaian community in Lusaka; and the co-chairing of a Ghana-Zambia Business Dialogue.
The two countries ended up signing 10 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
Breaking down the mutual benefits from President Mahama’s state visit to Zambia under a new Comprehensive Partnership:
1) A Pan-African agreement for visa-free travel which allows nationals from both countries to spend 30 days in our nations.
2) Fintech contracts for Ghanaian and Zambian companies worth over $50million in the short term and expected to create some 8,000 jobs.
3) Natural Resource agreements to maximise value addition and environmentally friendly practices.
4) Defence cooperation agreement to create additional frontiers for the armed forces of both nations.
5) Ghana to offer technical assistance in the establishment of a Minerals Commission and Goldbod in Zambia.
6) Zambia to offer technical assistance in solar energy regulation and scientifically improved seedling production in Ghana.
7) Establishment of new trade corridors to allow both nations to serve as hubs for the larger Western African and Southern African markets.
8)Agreement to standardise certification of products from both countries.
9) Signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement to enhance aviation cooperation and establish direct flight travel.
10) Ghana will host a Fugu and Kente Trade Exhibition in Zambia next month, following the tremendous and phenomenal interest of Zambians in Ghanaian traditional outfits and President Hakainde Hichilema’s publicly expressed desire to place orders.
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Source:
opemsuo.com