President John Dramani Mahama has underscored the need for Ghana and Zambia to deepen their economic cooperation, urging both countries to move beyond political engagement toward concrete economic consolidation.
Speaking during bilateral engagements with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House in Lusaka, President Mahama said stronger economic ties were essential to accelerating development and delivering shared prosperity for the peoples of both nations.
“We must move beyond political dialogue into economic consolidation and stronger bilateral economic relations between our two countries,” President Mahama stated.
He noted that while political dialogue has laid a solid foundation for cooperation between Ghana and Zambia, the next phase of the relationship must focus on trade, investment, and practical collaboration across key sectors.
President Mahama highlighted that both countries face similar economic challenges and are implementing reform programmes aimed at restoring fiscal stability, creating opportunities to share experiences and best practices.
“Zambia and Ghana are on the same trajectory, and there is a lot we can learn from each other as we pursue economic reforms and sustainable growth,” he said.
The Ghanaian leader further emphasized that the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) depends on strong bilateral relationships that identify specific products and sectors for exchange.
“We cannot build continental free trade in a vacuum unless we develop strong bilateral relations that create the conditions for real economic exchange,” President Mahama added.
President Mahama and President Hichilema also discussed cooperation in mining, agriculture, and trade, agreeing to strengthen existing mechanisms to elevate Ghana–Zambia relations to a higher level of economic engagement.
The talks reaffirmed the shared commitment of both leaders to translating historic political ties into tangible economic benefits for their citizens.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
