By Rachel Kakraba
Ghana and Zimbabwe are set to unlock new development opportunities following the renewal of their bilateral partnership, signalling a fresh chapter in cooperation between the two countries.
Officials from both nations have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties across key sectors, including trade, agriculture, energy and infrastructure.
Opening the Ghana–Zimbabwe Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) in Accra, both countries noted that the renewed partnership will boost economic growth, promote investment and enhance knowledge sharing for the mutual benefit of their citizens.
In her remarks, the Chief Director of Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Khadija Iddrisu, said the agreement, which covers more than 20 areas, will unlock the potential of various sectors and further consolidate Ghana–Zimbabwe relations.
“This meeting is both historic and symbolic. It marks not only the formal institutionalisation of cooperation between our two countries, but also a conscious effort to revitalise a relationship whose foundations were laid many decades ago,” she said.
She stressed that the engagement must not remain a mere consultative forum, but should deliver measurable outcomes for sustainable development.
“By leveraging our respective comparative advantages, we can unlock new opportunities for industrial development, job creation for our people and overall economic growth. This must not be a mere consultative forum. We must leave here with clear priorities, measurable outcomes and a plan for sustainable action,” she added.
Ambassador Iddrisu expressed optimism that the partnership would be deepened to deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
The Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe, Ambassador Albert Ranganai Chimbindi, said cooperation between the two countries has served multiple beneficial purposes.
“The reciprocal visa-free arrangement between Zimbabwe and Ghana is a practical demonstration of our shared commitment to promoting mobility and people-to-people exchange in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. We now have to go the extra mile to remove any impediments to trade and investment,” he said.
He noted that the partnership would open new areas of cooperation, which are long overdue, and emphasised the need to focus on high-impact initiatives.
“Zimbabwe is ready to expand mutually beneficial trade with Ghana. Zimbabwe may supply agricultural products such as vegetables, sugar, beef, maize, seeds and raw oils, while Ghana has strong export potential in textiles, cocoa-based products, shea butter and traditional black soap. In that regard, we propose exploring the possibility of establishing warehouses to facilitate access to goods that we require from each other,” he added.
Ambassador Chimbindi expressed hope that the discussions would lay a strong foundation for both countries to chart a new chapter of dynamic, multi-sectoral cooperation.
Diplomatic ties between Ghana and Zimbabwe date back more than six decades, with the founding leaders of both countries championing Pan-African ideals.
The opening session of the Ghana–Zimbabwe Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation in Accra paves the way for technical and ministerial-level engagements, where both countries are expected to collaborate in sectors such as trade and investment, agriculture, mining, energy, education, health and tourism.
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Source:
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