President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation with Gabon, describing the official visit of Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema as a significant step toward building a stronger and more purposeful partnership between the two African nations.
Speaking during bilateral talks at the Presidency in Accra on Tuesday, President Mahama said he was deeply honoured by President Nguema’s visit, noting that it reflected not only the cordial relationship between the two leaders but also the shared determination of their governments to strengthen decades of friendship.
“I am deeply honoured by your visit and believe that your decision to undertake this visit reflects not only the personal friendship between us as leaders of our two countries, but also the shared desire of our governments to consolidate the longstanding bonds of friendship between Ghana and Gabon into a more purposeful, ambitious and mutually beneficial partnership,” President Mahama stated.
The President noted that Ghana and Gabon have enjoyed more than six decades of warm diplomatic relations founded on mutual respect, solidarity and the ideals of Pan-Africanism. He said both countries have consistently worked together within the African Union, the United Nations and other multilateral institutions to promote peace, democratic governance, sustainable development and African unity.
President Mahama also expressed gratitude to Gabon for supporting Ghana’s historic resolution at the United Nations General Assembly, describing the gesture as another demonstration of the close cooperation between the two countries.
He observed that Africa faces defining challenges, including global economic uncertainty, climate change, food insecurity, public health concerns and evolving security threats, stressing that these realities demand stronger African-led cooperation.
“These realities make it imperative for African countries to work more closely together on the basis of African-led solutions,” he said.
The Ghanaian leader highlighted the strategic positions of Ghana and Gabon in West and Central Africa respectively, saying closer collaboration would help advance the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and accelerate implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“As host country of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Ghana remains committed to advancing intra-African trade, industrialization and economic integration,” he said, adding that both countries should ensure their businesses, investors and citizens benefit from the opportunities created by the continental market.
President Mahama identified trade and investment as central pillars of future cooperation, urging both governments to encourage stronger private sector partnerships and facilitate investment in manufacturing, agribusiness, transport and logistics, infrastructure, financial services and value addition.
According to him, expanding commercial exchanges between Ghana and Gabon would stimulate economic growth, create decent jobs and improve the competitiveness of both economies.
He further called for stronger collaboration in agriculture and fisheries, citing opportunities in sustainable fisheries management, aquaculture, fish processing, climate-smart agriculture, agricultural research and food security.
The President also underscored the importance of cooperation in mining and natural resource governance, saying both countries could share expertise to promote responsible mining, local content development, mineral beneficiation, environmental sustainability and transparent resource management.
On education, President Mahama advocated increased collaboration between universities, technical institutions and research centres through scholarship programmes, faculty exchanges, scientific research and technical and vocational education to build Africa’s future workforce.
Climate action also featured prominently in his address, with President Mahama commending Gabon’s internationally recognised leadership in forest conservation while highlighting Ghana’s commitment to sustainable development.
He proposed closer cooperation in biodiversity conservation, carbon markets, renewable energy, climate resilience, sustainable forest management and advocacy for increased climate financing for Africa.
President Mahama further called for regular policy consultations, technical exchanges and institutional capacity-building between the two governments to improve governance and support national development priorities.
Given that both countries border the Gulf of Guinea, he stressed the importance of enhanced collaboration in maritime security, combating piracy, addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, protecting marine ecosystems and developing the blue economy.
Expressing confidence in the outcome of the bilateral discussions, President Mahama said the engagements would open new avenues of cooperation and further strengthen the already cordial relations between Ghana and Gabon.
“Our duty today is to build upon the legacy of friendship between our two countries and bequeath to future generations an even more dynamic, resilient and prosperous partnership founded on mutual trust, shared prosperity and African solidarity,” he said.
He concluded by wishing President Nguema a pleasant and productive stay in Ghana and expressed optimism that the talks would be conducted in a spirit of friendship, mutual respect and partnership, delivering lasting benefits for both countries and the African continent.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
