Ghana, Zimbabwe open joint commission to deepen bilateral cooperation

Ghana and Zimbabwe have opened the technical and ministerial meetings of the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) to deepen bilateral relations and translate long-standing political ties into a tangible economic and development outcome.

The session is being held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra from March 27 to 31, 2026, and is expected to culminate in the signing of agreements to strengthen collaboration between the two countries.

The PJCC also provides a structured platform for both countries to review their relations and explore new areas of cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, agriculture, mining, energy, education, health and tourism.

Call for concrete outcomes

At the opening ceremony, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Khadijah Iddrisu, said the meeting was a significant step towards strengthening relations between Ghana and Zimbabwe.

She said the session marked “the formal institutionalisation of cooperation between our two countries” and a renewed effort to translate their long-standing political ties into tangible economic benefits.

Ambassador Iddrisu said that although the two countries shared a strong historical bond rooted in their common struggle for independence and Pan-African ideals, economic engagement between them remained low.

“The level of economic engagement, trade exchanges, and structured collaboration is below expectations,” she said.

She said both countries had identified over 20 priority areas of cooperation and stressed the need to focus on implementation.

“This PJCC must not be a mere consultative forum.

We must leave here with clear priorities, measurable outcomes, and a plan of sustained follow-up actions,” she said.

She added that by leveraging their comparative advantages, the two countries could unlock new opportunities for industrial development, job creation for their people, and overall economic growth.

Historic relations

The Chief Director traced the strong relations between Ghana and Zimbabwe to their shared struggle for independence and commitment to Pan-Africanism.

She said Ghana, under Dr Kwame Nkrumah, played a leading role in supporting liberation movements across Africa, including Zimbabwe, and was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe after its independence in 1980.

She added that the convening of the PJCC followed the signing of a General Framework Agreement in 2023, which paved the way for the development of several Memoranda of Understanding across key sectors.

Zimbabwe’s position

Zimbabwe’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Albert Ranganai Chimbindi, expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded to his delegation and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Ghana.

“This generous welcome reflects the deep bonds of friendship and solidarity that have long united Zimbabwe and Ghana,” he said.

He also acknowledged Ghana’s support during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and its contribution to the country’s human capital development, describing it as a lasting symbol of Pan-African solidarity.

Ambassador Chimbindi, however, said the level of engagement between the two countries had not matched their strong political relations, pointing out that the inaugural meeting of the PJCC was long overdue.

“We established diplomatic relations in 1980, and we are only meeting for the first time in 2026.

I don’t think this is what we want,” he said.

Call

He called for the removal of barriers to trade and greater collaboration in key sectors such as agriculture, mining, energy, tourism and education.

He also said it was important for private sector participation in driving partnerships between the two countries.

“The private sector must become the principal driver of our partnerships, transforming diplomatic goodwill into tangible economic opportunities,” he said.

Ambassador Chimbindi further said the success of the PJCC would depend on the impact of its outcomes on citizens.

“Our success will not be measured by the number of agreements that we sign, but by the concrete outcomes we deliver,” he said.