President John Dramani Mahama has held bilateral talks with President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, reaffirming the longstanding historical ties between the two countries and committing to deepen cooperation across political, economic, and social sectors.
Speaking at the State House in Lusaka on Wednesday, President Mahama expressed profound appreciation for the warm reception accorded to him and his delegation since their arrival in Zambia.
“Let me express my appreciation for the hospitality that has been extended to us since we arrived yesterday. I want to thank you for the warm welcome we received at the airport—the enthusiasm of the people, the dancing, and the presence of the Ghanaian community made us feel very welcome and at home,” President Mahama said.
The Ghanaian leader noted that his visit provided an opportunity for both leaders to engage in frank discussions on strengthening bilateral relations between Ghana and Zambia.
President Mahama recalled the historic foundation of Ghana–Zambia relations, tracing them to the close friendship between Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and Zambia’s founding leader, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.
“President Kaunda and President Nkrumah were friends and comrades in the African liberation struggle. Ghana virtually became the headquarters for freedom fighters after President Nkrumah declared that the independence of Ghana was meaningless unless it was linked to the total liberation of the African continent,” he stated.
Reflecting on Africa’s post-independence journey, President Mahama observed that divisions created during the colonial era have slowed the continent’s development, underscoring the need for deeper unity and cooperation.
“As Ghana approaches 70 years of independence next year, we can clearly see that the divisions created by the Berlin Conference have prevented Africa from developing at an optimal speed and achieving the prosperity our people deserve,” he said.
The President disclosed that both leaders agreed on the need to strengthen bilateral ties alongside continental cooperation, stressing that country-to-country relations can significantly accelerate development.
President Mahama also conveyed the appreciation of the Ghanaian community in Zambia to the Zambian government for the hospitality extended to them.
“They feel comfortable and at home here. Many of them are now part of multinational families, with Zambian and Ghanaian spouses, which is the best way to build lasting relationships—Zambian, Ghanaian, but all African,” he noted.
On economic matters, President Mahama highlighted that Ghana and Zambia share similar economic trajectories, having both undergone debt restructuring and implemented fiscal and economic reforms.
“In that sense, Zambia and Ghana are on the same trajectory. There is a lot we can learn from each other and many experiences we can share,” he said.
The discussions also covered cooperation in the mining sector, particularly challenges related to artisanal, small-scale, and large-scale mining, as well as agricultural production and cross-border trade.
President Mahama emphasized that while the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a major step forward, its success depends on strong bilateral economic relationships.
“We cannot develop continental free trade in a vacuum. We must identify what products we can exchange and create the conditions to facilitate those exchanges,” he stated.
He concluded by calling for a new level of engagement between Ghana and Zambia that goes beyond political dialogue to include deeper economic integration and sustained sectoral collaboration.
“We must move beyond political dialogue into economic consolidation and stronger bilateral economic relations between our two countries,” President Mahama said.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
