South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on being named Forbes Africa’s “African of the Year”, describing the recognition as a reflection of his vision and leadership for both Ghana and the African continent.
President Ramaphosa made the remarks at a state banquet hosted in his honour by President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House in Accra during his two-day official visit to Ghana.
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Forbes Africa, in its December 2021–January 2022 edition, named President Akufo-Addo its “African of the Year”, citing his efforts to promote a new model of economic growth on the continent.
According to the magazine, the Ghanaian leader had repositioned the country in the global marketplace by pursuing development based on Ghana’s own resources and strengths.
Commending the recognition, President Ramaphosa said it reflected President Akufo-Addo’s vision not only for Ghana but also for Africa.
“We are proud of the recognition because it speaks of your commitment. It speaks of your creativity, innovation and your clear strategic vision of what should happen in your country as well as our beloved African continent,” President Ramaphosa said.
During the visit, the two leaders held bilateral talks on strengthening political and economic relations, enhancing cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and deepening cooperation at the continental and multilateral levels.
Their discussions also focused on attracting greater domestic and foreign investment, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and expanding collaboration in education, trade and industry, agriculture, defence, immigration, environmental protection, science and technology, petroleum and hydrocarbon development, and tourism.
To deepen bilateral cooperation, Ghana and South Africa signed four agreements covering immigration, gender, agriculture and transport, while also committing to explore new opportunities for trade and investment in sectors including road and railway infrastructure, mining, energy, manufacturing and agro-processing.
The two countries also inaugurated the Ghana-South Africa Bi-National Commission, replacing the Presidential Joint Cooperation Commission, to provide a new framework for strengthening bilateral relations.
South Africa remains Ghana’s second-largest trading partner on the African continent.
