Ghana and South Africa have expressed their resolve to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in all areas especially in innovation, value addition, digital technology, health energy and infrastructure with the private sectors of both countries in the lead.
This is part of a resolution reached between Ghana’s President Nana Addo Danquah and his South African counterpart, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa during the latter’s two day visit to Ghana.
Both leaders reiterated their commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTFA) and expressed confidence that trade between the two countries would increase exponentially under the frame work of (AfCTFA).
They welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent on Women, Youth and Person with Disabilities; Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Transport Related Matters; and MoU on Cooperation on Cooperation on Immigration Matters.
The two leaders also acknowledged the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their respective economies and emphasized and emphasized the need to cooperate in the field of research and vaccine development in order to promote mutual learning and knowledge sharing in an effort to fight the pandemic.
They further deliberated on the security situation on the continent and underscored the need for immediate action to address the threat to peace and security in Africa and also the need to avert the escalation of extremism and terrorism on the continent and pledged commitment to in countering extremism and terrorism.
On the global front, the two Presidents reiterated their common view that only through multilateralism and South – South Cooperation can the challenges of the 21st century such as climate change, migration and pandemics be dealt with effectively.
In this regard, they called for the reform of the global system of governance in particular, the United Nations Security Council to be more equitable and representative of all the people of the world.
They therefore agreed that during Ghana’s tenure as a member of the Security Council, Ghana will play an advocacy role for Africa’s common position as mandated by the African Union.
Meanwhile President Ramaphosa was accompanied by the following Ministers: Internal Relations and Cooperation; Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; Trade Industry and Competition; Defence and Military Veterans; Transport; Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities; Communications and Digital Technologies; Minister in the Presidency as well as the Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises.
On the Ghana side, the Ministers included Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration; Finance; Defence, Trade and Industry, Gender, Children and Social Protection; Food and Agriculture; Interior; Information and Transport.
Story: Henry George Martinson@radiogoldlive.com
