President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana and his Portuguese counterpart, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, have recently signed bilateral instruments of cooperation in several key areas, including defense, political consultation, and trade. This agreement marks a significant milestone in strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation between Ghana and Portugal.
During a joint press conference held in Lisbon, Portugal, as part of President Akufo-Addo’s three-day state visit to the country, he expressed the importance of this collaboration. The President highlighted that Ghana is committed to moving away from its old economy, which heavily relied on the production and export of raw materials and external aid. Instead, Ghana aims to develop a value-added, industrialized economy with a modernized agriculture sector.
President Akufo-Addo emphasized the desire to foster increased trade and investment cooperation between Ghana and Portugal, stating that this approach would enable Ghana to occupy a higher position in the global market and create employment opportunities for its citizens, particularly the youth.
The discussions between the two leaders also encompassed political, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as cooperation at the multilateral level. They acknowledged the importance of addressing global issues related to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this context, the Ghana-Portugal Business Forum, scheduled for the following day, was highlighted as a valuable platform to enhance investment initiatives.
President Akufo-Addo further disclosed that Portugal had pledged to advocate for Ghana’s interests within the European Union, while Ghana would facilitate enhanced economic engagement between Portugal and the member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This collaboration aims to boost trade volumes and promote prosperity for the peoples of both nations.
Regarding global security, President Akufo-Addo expressed his hope for the support of the United States President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the leaders of the three other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council in favor of the reform process outlined in the Ezulwini consensus.
The President assured President De Sousa that Ghana would work closely with Portugal to address various challenges, including poverty eradication, elimination of irregular migration, security issues, human rights violations, terrorism, human and drug trafficking, piracy, as well as the negative impact of climate change on the environment and livelihoods.
During his visit, President Akufo-Addo was honored by the Lisbon City Council, receiving the keys to the city from Deputy Mayor Filipe Anacoreta Correia. In his address, the President highlighted the historical lesson that a fair and prosperous trading partnership brings benefits to both sides more effectively than the exploitation of a weaker partner.
President Akufo-Addo stressed the importance of advocating for increased investment and trade between Ghana and Portugal. He noted that Ghana’s trade relations with Portugal have evolved over time and now require a new paradigm that aligns with the structural transformation of Ghana’s economy from one based on raw materials to a value-adding, industrialized economy. This shift would enable Ghana to participate in the high-end global value chain, trading in locally produced goods and ultimately generating mutual prosperity for both countries.
The President concluded his remarks by emphasizing Africa’s commitment to self-reliance and the need to leverage its abundant natural resources intelligently to overcome poverty and achieve prosperity, thereby dispelling the image of being dependent on charity and aid.
The signing of the bilateral instruments of cooperation and the discussions held between President Akufo-Addo and President De Sousa demonstrate a shared commitment to strengthen the relationship between Ghana and Portugal across various sectors. By prioritizing trade and investment, both countries aim to enhance economic development, promote cultural exchanges, and address global challenges for the benefit of their citizens and the wider international community.
