Ablakwa outlines mutual gains from Mahama’s state visit to Zambia

Minister for Foreign Affairs-designate Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has detailed the wide-ranging mutual benefits emerging from President John Dramani Mahama‘s recent state visit to Zambia, describing the outcomes as a major boost to Ghana-Zambia relations under a new Comprehensive Partnership framework.

According to Hon. Ablakwa, the visit produced strategic agreements spanning diplomacy, trade, technology, defence, energy, and cultural exchange, reinforcing the historic ties between the two countries rooted in the Nkrumah–Kaunda friendship.

Key among the outcomes is a Pan-African visa-free travel agreement, allowing citizens of Ghana and Zambia to visit each other’s countries for up to 30 days, a move expected to promote tourism, business travel, and people-to-people relations.

In the area of economic cooperation, fintech contracts valued at over US$50 million have been secured for Ghanaian and Zambian companies in the short term, with projections indicating the creation of approximately 8,000 jobs.

The two countries also signed natural resource agreements aimed at enhancing value addition while promoting environmentally sustainable practices.

Defence cooperation featured prominently, with both nations agreeing to expand collaboration between their armed forces to strengthen regional security and capacity building.

Ghana will also provide technical assistance to Zambia in establishing a Minerals Commission and Goldbod, while Zambia will support Ghana with expertise in solar energy regulation and scientifically improved seedling production.

To deepen trade integration, the partnership includes the creation of new trade corridors, positioning Ghana and Zambia as hubs for the wider West African and Southern African markets. Both countries have also agreed to standardise product certification, easing cross-border trade and market access.

In aviation, a Bilateral Air Services Agreement was signed to enhance cooperation and pave the way for direct flights between Ghana and Zambia, a development expected to support trade, tourism, and investment.

Cultural and creative industry cooperation was also highlighted, with Ghana set to host a Fugu and Kente Trade Exhibition in Zambia next month. This follows strong interest from Zambians in Ghanaian traditional attire and President Hakainde Hichilema’s publicly expressed intention to place official orders.

Hon. Ablakwa noted that the outcomes of the visit reflect a growing, dynamic, and forward-looking partnership, positioning Ghana–Zambia relations as stronger and more impactful within Africa‘s broader integration agenda.