Ghana and Serbia are set to deepen their long-standing relationship, marking a renewed commitment to collaboration across various sectors and bolstering international cooperation. This comes as Serbia’s Foreign Minister, Marko Duric pays a visit to Ghana, reflecting a shared vision for a more vibrant and enduring partnership.
Addressing the media, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto acknowledged the untapped potential for increased trade and economic cooperation between both nations. He urged their respective private sectors to explore new avenues for collaboration, recognizing that current trade and investment activities are modest.
Hon. Ablakwa emphasized the opportunities presented by the African market, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), proudly hosted in Accra. “This iconic venue has become a hub for continental summits, cultural gatherings, and business conventions. It also has symbolized what our collaboration is capable of achieving. We further discussed the need to expand the frontiers of our relations and cooperation, both at the bilateral and multilateral levels.” He affirmed.
He revealed Ghana’s interest in becoming the second country, after Egypt, to sign a labor mobility agreement with Serbia, an initiative which aims to provide thousands of young Ghanaians with valuable work opportunities abroad, fostering deeper people-to-people engagements and creating economic benefits for both nations.
The Minister reiterated Ghana and Serbia’s belief in the principles of the UN Charter and their commitment to non-alignment. Both countries, prominent contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, pledged to continue promoting global peace and security.
A striking commonality emerged in the form of lithium discoveries; Serbia holds 11% of the world’s lithium deposits, and Ghana has also recently discovered significant reserves. Both nations agreed to share technical expertise on lithium exploration, linking this to their joint investment in artificial intelligence. With Serbia currently chairing the Global AI Initiative, Ablakwa says Ghana is determined to deepen AI collaboration, aligning with its “One Million Coders Programme,” “One Billion Dollar Innovation Hub Initiative,” and $50 billion support for fintechs, all aimed at driving innovation and societal transformation.
He also covered the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation, crucial for equipping the Ghana Armed Forces to counter the growing threat of terrorism from the Sahel region. Ghana’s efforts in shuttle diplomacy to encourage neighboring countries to return to democratic order were also shared.
“I briefed our guests on the measures being taken by the President of the Republic, His Excellency John J. Mahama, using a lot of shattered diplomacy, seeking to bring our neighbours back to be part of democratic order,” stated. “We have also discussed how we can have a defence cooperation ratified by Parliament so that we can equip the Ghana Armed Forces to withstand the threat of terrorism that is posed from the Sahel.”
The Serbian Foreign Minister’s visit is expected to include engagements with key Ghanaian officials, including the Speaker of Parliament and the Ministers of Food and Agriculture, Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Sports and Recreation, and Defence.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa concluded by extending a warm invitation to Serbian companies and investors to explore the vast opportunities Ghana offers as the gateway to Africa. The three-day official visit is anticipated to be highly impactful, reinforcing President Mahama’s message that Ghana is indeed open for business, eager to welcome Serbian trade, investment, and the unique “blaster experience” of Ghanaian hospitality and warmth.
The bond between Ghana and Serbia dates back to the era of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, when visionary leaders Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and President Joseph Broz Tito played crucial roles in forming the Non-Aligned Movement. Their common 1111objective of promoting global peace and security through non-alignment laid the foundation for enduring friendship. This early cooperation notably led to the construction of the Accra International Conference Centre, built with Serbian expertise, which has since become an iconic venue for continental summits and conventions.
Story By: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
