By Hannah Dadzie
Ghana and Pakistan have taken a significant step toward deepening bilateral relations with the signing of two key Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and the launch of their inaugural bilateral political consultations in Accra. The high-level engagement, hosted by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marks a renewed phase of cooperation between the two countries, which established diplomatic relations in 1958.
The agreements include an MOU establishing a framework for regular bilateral political consultations between Ghana and Pakistan, as well as an MOU on cooperation between the Foreign Service Institute of Ghana and the Foreign Service Academy of Pakistan, aimed at strengthening diplomatic training, capacity building and institutional exchanges.
Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Khadija Iddrisu, who opened the meeting described the signing of the MOUs and the maiden consultations as a historic milestone that injects fresh momentum into Ghana-Pakistan relations.
She said the agreements reflect a shared commitment to advancing cooperation for mutual prosperity, growth and development, particularly at a time of global economic fragmentation, protectionism and rising geopolitical tensions.
“I am confident that today’s signing ceremony and the inaugural political consultations lay a new and solid foundation for structured engagement between Ghana and Pakistan. Our long-standing relations since 1958 must now translate into tangible benefits for our two nations,” Ambassador Iddrisu stated.
She noted that Ghana is eager to expand collaboration beyond traditional diplomacy into strategic areas including defence, digital innovation, education, agriculture, public health, climate action, peace and security, as well as people-to-people exchanges.
“No single country can address today’s global challenges alone. Ghana believes that cooperation with friendly countries like Pakistan is essential to safeguarding peace, development and the well-being of our peoples,” she added.
Ambassador Iddrisu also welcomed the growing partnership between the Foreign Service Institute of Ghana and the Foreign Service Academy of Pakistan, expressing optimism that joint training programmes and exchanges would enhance diplomatic professionalism in both countries.
Leading the Pakistani delegation, Additional Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening ties with Ghana and the wider West African sub-region, describing the consultations as a turning point in bilateral relations.
“We are encouraged by the range of initiatives currently under discussion, including enhanced political dialogue, educational exchanges, development partnerships, trade facilitation, defence cooperation and strengthened people-to-people ties. Pakistan remains fully committed to working closely with Ghana to elevate our cooperation to new heights,” Ambassador Khan said.
He announced that Pakistan has allocated land within Islamabad’s diplomatic enclave for Ghana to establish a permanent mission, expressing hope that the move would further consolidate diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Ambassador Khan also highlighted Pakistan’s ‘Engage Africa’ policy, adopted in 2019, which has led to the reopening of embassies and trade missions across the continent, including the re-establishment of Pakistan’s High Commission in Accra in 2022 after nearly two decades.
Tracing Pakistan’s historical solidarity with Africa to the anti-colonial struggles of the 1950s, he noted that the country continues to demonstrate its commitment through peacekeeping operations, particularly in West Africa. Pakistan, he said, remains one of the world’s largest contributors to United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Also addressing the ceremony, Acting Chief Director for Political and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Harold Adlai Agyeman, said the maiden political consultations institutionalise a structured mechanism for dialogue on bilateral, regional and global issues. He noted that partnerships such as the Ghana-Pakistan relationship are increasingly vital at a time when the international system is under strain and long-standing norms are being challenged.
Ambassador Agyeman welcomed Pakistan’s renewed diplomatic presence in Accra and reiterated Ghana’s intention to establish a resident mission in Islamabad in due course.
“I encourage open, constructive and frank discussions that will further strengthen the historic bonds of friendship and cooperation between Ghana and Pakistan for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” he said.
The consultations are expected to focus on political dialogue, trade facilitation, defence cooperation, education, development partnerships and people-to-people exchanges, laying the foundation for a stronger and more mutually beneficial Ghana-Pakistan partnership.
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Source:
www.gbcghanaonline.com
