In a move to deepen bilateral ties, the governments of Ghana and Zimbabwe have inaugurated the first-ever Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC), signaling a transition from historical solidarity to a modern strategic partnership.
The inaugural session, held in Accra on Tuesday, serves as the technical and ministerial foundation for the upcoming historic state visit of President Emmerson Mnangagwa to Ghana, scheduled for April 1–3, 2026. This will mark the first official state visit by a Zimbabwean President to the Republic of Ghana.
Addressing the delegation, the Ghanaian leadership highlighted that the relationship between the two nations is deeply rooted in the shared history of Africa’s liberation struggle, noting that Ghana was among the first to establish diplomatic ties with Zimbabwe upon its independence in 1980.
The partnership is further cemented by enduring personal ties, most notably the legacy of the late Robert Mugabe, who taught in Ghana and married the late Sally Mugabe. Referencing these deep familial connections, the Ghanaian side warmly welcomed the Zimbabwean delegation as in-laws in good standing.
The PJCC aims to leverage the unique geographic and economic positions of both nations to drive intra-African trade. As the host of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana serves as a vital entry point to West Africa, while Zimbabwe provides a strategic link to the SADC region. By leveraging these positions, the two countries intend to expand intra-African trade, strengthen regional value chains, and promote industrial development.
A primary mandate of the commission is to intensify efforts to remove trade barriers and improve connectivity between the ECOWAS and SADC markets. Both nations also identified mining and mineral beneficiation, specifically in gold, lithium, diamonds, and iron as areas for technology sharing and value addition.
The leadership noted that economic transformation remains at the heart of the development agenda, and through strengthened business-to-business collaboration, both nations can unlock new opportunities for growth and job creation.
”Economic transformation remains at the heart of the development agenda of both Ghana and Zimbabwe,” the Ghanaian delegation noted. “By strengthening business-to-business collaboration, we can unlock new opportunities for economic growth and job creation.”
A standout feature of the dialogue was the emphasis on human capital. Ghana acknowledged the significant role Ghanaian teachers played historically in contributing to Zimbabwe’s high literacy rates.
The session also highlighted existing high-level academic cooperation, noting that the current Vice President of Ghana, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, previously served as Chancellor of the Women’s University in Zimbabwe. The commission plans to build on this through university exchange programs and the mutual recognition of vocational qualifications to empower the youth of both nations.
The ministerial session concluded with a call for the PJCC to serve as a strategic platform for structured dialogue and coordinated action in an increasingly complex global environment. The leadership stated that as two proud African countries with shared values, Ghana and Zimbabwe have the opportunity to build a partnership that contributes to the broader vision of African integration.
”Let this inaugural session mark the beginning of a new chapter in Ghana-Zimbabwe relations, one characterized by strategic partnership, economic cooperation, and enduring Pan-African solidarity,” the official statement concluded.
The outcomes of these deliberations will form the basis of the bilateral agreements expected to be signed during President Mnangagwa’s state visit later this week.
Story By: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
