President John Dramani Mahama has announced Ghana’s intention to deepen cooperation with Belarus to modernize the country’s agricultural sector, following the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening trade, economic, and agricultural ties between the two countries.
Speaking after the signing ceremony during his official visit to Belarus, President Mahama described the agreements as a major step toward translating the long-standing friendship between Ghana and Belarus into practical development outcomes.
“This visit marks an important moment in the relations between our two countries,” President Mahama said. “Today, we are taking a meaningful step to translate these aspirations of our two countries into concrete outcomes in an equal partnership for the mutual benefit of our two countries.”
The three agreements signed cover the establishment of a Joint Commission on Cooperation in Trade and Economy, collaboration between the chambers of commerce of both countries, and cooperation in agriculture.
According to President Mahama, the agreements are expected to strengthen institutional cooperation, promote trade and investment, and create new opportunities for economic growth and technological exchange. “These MOUs represent more than just diplomatic achievements,” he said.
“They will establish the practical framework for our governments, institutions, and private sector to collaborate more effectively.”
The President stressed that agriculture remains at the heart of Ghana’s development agenda, with the government focused on transforming the sector into a modern and technology-driven industry.
“Our vision is not merely to increase production but to transform agriculture into a modern, technology-driven sector that creates jobs, supports industrialisation, strengthens food security, and improves livelihoods of our people across rural communities,” he stated.
He noted that Ghana is implementing policies to increase agricultural productivity, expand irrigation, reduce post-harvest losses, promote agro-processing, and enhance value addition along agricultural value chains.
President Mahama said Belarus’ expertise in agricultural mechanisation and farm technology presents significant opportunities for Ghana’s agricultural transformation.
“Belarus has built an impressive reputation in agricultural mechanisation, in farm technology, equipment manufacturing, and agricultural research. These are areas where Ghana can benefit greatly through strategic partnerships, technology transfer, skills development, and investment,” he said.
He added that combining Ghana’s agricultural potential with Belarusian innovation could help boost food security and industrial growth in both countries.
“By combining Ghana’s agricultural potential with Belarusian expertise and innovation, we can create partnerships that contribute to food security, industrial growth, and shared prosperity,” the President noted.
Beyond agriculture, President Mahama identified manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, mining support services, transport and logistics, technical and vocational education, renewable energy, and industrial development as additional areas for collaboration.
He disclosed that Ghana has already invited a Belarusian delegation to visit the country’s mining sector to explore potential areas of cooperation.
“I’m happy to announce that we already invited and will receive a delegation from Belarus to visit Ghana’s mining industry and explore areas of cooperation,” he revealed.
The President also used the occasion to highlight Ghana’s attractiveness as an investment destination, citing the country’s strategic location, political stability, expanding infrastructure, youthful population, and access to regional markets.
“We welcome greater engagement between the business communities of Ghana and Belarus and encourage our private sectors to explore partnerships that will generate jobs, facilitate knowledge exchange, and deepen economic ties,” he said.
Touching on global developments, President Mahama underscored the importance of practical and mutually beneficial international partnerships at a time of economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and concerns over food and energy security.
“Ghana remains committed to building diversified partnerships across all regions of the world because we believe that stronger cooperation among nations of the Global South, complemented by constructive engagement with partners everywhere, is essential for creating a more balanced and inclusive international order,” he stated.
President Mahama expressed confidence that the agreements signed in Minsk would usher in a new phase of relations between Ghana and Belarus, while emphasizing that their true value would be measured by the benefits they deliver to citizens.
“The true measure of our success, however, will not be the agreements we have just signed today, but the concrete benefits they will deliver to our citizens in the years ahead,” he said.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the agreements and expanding bilateral cooperation in pursuit of economic development, technological advancement, food security, and shared prosperity.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
