Canada-Ghana trade ties set for major boost – Canada’s Senior Trade Commissioner in Ghana

Trade and investment ties between Ghana and Canada are set to experience major expansion in the coming years as both countries align their economic priorities around value addition, agriculture, infrastructure development, responsible mining, and diaspora-led investment. In an exclusive interview with Radio Ghana in Accra, Commercial Counsellor and Senior Trade Commissioner at the High Commission of Canada to Ghana, Waqas I. Yousafzai observed that the long-standing partnership between the two countries has entered a more strategic and business-driven phase.

According to him, although bilateral trade currently stands at just under US$500 million, the figure does not reflect the full potential of the relationship. He emphasised public-private partnerships as a key strategy that can be used to strengthen collaboration and create synergy between government and the private sector. “We are not satisfied with where current two-way trade is. There is a lot of room to grow through alignment of Canada’s skillsets with needs of the Ghanaian economy as identified by the Government of Ghana” he said.

Century-Old Relations, New Economic Focus

Ghana and Canada have enjoyed relations for well over 100 years, covering trade, development cooperation, defence, immigration and strong people-to-people ties. Mr. Yousafzai noted that Canada is keen to deepen the economic component of the relationship by supporting Ghana’s industrial and private sector growth. He described Ghana as one of Canada’s key partners in West and Sub-Saharan Africa, due to its political stability and strategic role within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He pointed out that (AfCFTA) offers a major opportunity for deeper engagement, noting that with the Secretariat situated in Accra, Ghana is well positioned to serve as a hub for broader Canada–Africa trade relations. He therefore called for the modernization and harmonization of customs systems across Africa’s 54 markets to unlock the full potential of the continental trade bloc.

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According to the Senior Trade Commissioner, Canada generally prefers engaging with larger trade blocs, as seen in its agreements with Europe and the Indo-Pacific, making AfCFTA an attractive long-term partner. He added that beyond the continental framework, bilateral trade arrangements between Ghana and Canada could also be explored. He further noted that bringing Canadian companies with experience in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America into Ghana would strengthen trade ties and support local development.

PPP Model to Drive Growth

Canada, Waqas said, is increasingly using Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) to link development assistance with trade and investment. Under this approach, government support is used to de-risk projects and attract private capital into key sectors such as agriculture, education, clean technology and infrastructure. “When development and trade work together, the impact is bigger and more sustainable,” Mr. Yousafzai explained.

Mining and Galamsey Concerns

On the extractive sector, Mr. Yousafzai said Canada remains a global leader in responsible mining and ESG standards, even though Canadian mining assets in Ghana have reduced over the years. He stressed that policy consistency, regulatory clarity and security of tenure are critical to attracting long-term mining investments. “Mining is a long-term business. Investors look at 20 to 40 years, so they need stable rules and confidence that their high capital expenditures are able to generate reliable returns and withstand policy changes over the long term.” he noted.

He also raised concerns about illicit mining (galamsey), describing it as a major threat to legitimate investments, water bodies and community safety. He emphasised that Canada and Ghana are major players in the extractive sector and have contributed significantly in the area of mining and critical minerals. However, galamsey remains a major challenge.

He noted that illicit mining activities make it difficult for legitimate companies to operate safely on their concessions, which undermines investor confidence. According to him, resolving illicit mining and providing clear direction on Ghana’s long-term vision for the extractive sector will open the door for expanded collaboration between Ghana and Canada. Once these issues are addressed, both countries can do much more together in the extractive and critical minerals space.

On critical minerals, Waqas observed that global supply chains are increasingly being diversified, creating new opportunities for producer countries. Ghana, already a major gold producer, stands to benefit further if the right regulatory and fiscal frameworks are put in place.

He acknowledged that Canadian companies operating in Ghana are doing their best within existing conditions but stressed that more could be achieved. He called for Ghana to streamline its regulatory environment to make it clearer and more predictable for investors. This includes transparent rules on capital requirements, local content obligations, and government regulations, as well as confidence that these rules will remain stable over time.

Agriculture and Value Addition

Agriculture was identified as one of the biggest opportunities for deeper Canada–Ghana cooperation. Mr Yousafzai said Canada is keen to support Ghana’s move from exporting raw commodities to local processing and value addition. Government initiatives such as the Feed Ghana Programme and the proposed district agro-processing centres were highlighted as areas where Canadian expertise in mechanisation, food processing, packaging and cold-chain systems can be leveraged.

Additionally, Canada’s experience in food safety standards, packaging solutions, and integrated cold-chain logistics can help Ghana modernise its agricultural value chains and enhance market competitiveness.

Clean Technology and Environment

Canada, he disclosed, has advanced capabilities in environmental protection, water treatment and clean technology, which could support Ghana’s fight against water pollution linked to illicit mining. Particularly, Mr Yousafzai voiced concern on the use of mercury and cyanide as the “most dangerous chemicals in gold mining.

He added that Mercury has been known to cause kidney and neurological damage when inhaled or ingested while Cyanide is toxic and linked to contamination of water sources. Other chemicals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium are also hazardous, posing long-term health and environmental risks to those in its vicinity. He noted that Canadian clean technology companies can help protect agriculture, public health, and the broader environment in Ghana.

Diaspora and Direct Flights

With more than 100,000 Ghanaians living in Canada, diaspora engagement remains a key pillar of the relationship. Mr. Yousafzai emphasized that diaspora or “people-to-people” connections play a vital role in trade, investment, and skills transfer. The Air Transport Agreement between Canada and Ghana, signed in early 2025, is set to significantly boost connectivity and trade.

Under the agreement, airlines from both countries can operate up to 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights between Ghana and Canada. These services, announced for mid-2026, will allow for direct travel and the shipment of goods, reducing travel time and costs while making business much easier “Direct flights will reduce travel time, lower costs and make business and tourism much easier,” he said.

Infrastructure and Inclusive Development

Canada continues to run one of its largest development programmes in Ghana, with a strong focus on Northern Ghana, targeting youth employment, women empowerment and SME growth. Mr. Yousafzai stressed that expanding road networks, improving energy access, and strengthening Ghana’s financial and credit systems are essential in order to reduce poverty and promote inclusive growth that benefits all citizens.

Outlook Remains Positive

Looking ahead, the Canadian head of the trade program, Mr. Waqas I. Yousafzai expressed confidence in the future of Canada–Ghana trade relations, based on strong policy and development goals and Ghana’s growing regional importance. “The alignment is there. The opportunity is there. What we need now is execution,” he said.

He reiterated that the priorities of the Government of Ghana are in sync with that of the Canadian government, particularly on trade expansion, diversifying markets, and linking trade with development.  He added that Canada’s new Africa Strategy focuses on strengthening trade and investment ties, supporting sustainable development, and achieving these goals through coordinated partnerships.

On Ghana’s side, he noted that key priorities include diaspora engagement, economic expansion, and building a robust economy anchored in agriculture and supported by critical infrastructure such as electricity, water, and transport. Mr Yousafzai described the continuing partnership as a “natural fit,” stressing that Canada has extensive expertise and private sector firms ready to support Ghana’s growth agenda.