Egypt and Ghana set to sign seven MOUs to revitalize bilateral ties as 70th anniversary nears

Egypt and Ghana are poised to deepen their decades-long relationship with the signing of seven new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering education, technology, pharmaceuticals, cybersecurity, and cultural heritage restoration, the Egyptian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Wael Fathy, has announced. The planned agreements, revealed during the 74th National Day celebration of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Accra, signal a renewed push to transform a historically symbolic friendship into tangible economic and developmental cooperation.

Ambassador Fathy made the disclosure in an exclusive interview with MyJoyOnline on the sidelines of the reception held at the Four Points by Sheraton Accra Airport Hotel on Friday, July 24. The event, attended by Ghanaian ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats, traditional leaders, and business executives, marked the anniversary of Egypt’s 1952 Revolution—a pivotal moment that inspired anti-colonial movements across Africa, including Ghana’s own independence struggle.

Reviving the Joint Commission After Three Decades

A key highlight of the ambassador’s announcement was the plan to revive the Ghana-Egypt Joint Commission, which has not convened for nearly 30 years. “This year we are planning to have the joint commission between both countries, which didn’t happen during the last three decades—30 years of our last joint commission between Egypt and Ghana,” Mr. Fathy stated. The commission, once a cornerstone of bilateral engagement, is expected to serve as a high-level platform to coordinate cooperation, resolve bottlenecks, and unlock investment opportunities that have remained dormant for a generation.

The seven MoUs under preparation are designed to align with Ghana’s development priorities while leveraging Egypt’s expertise in key sectors:

· Cultural Heritage Restoration: Egypt will provide technical experts to assist Ghana in restoring its historic forts and castles, many of which date back to the trans-Atlantic slave trade era. The collaboration will also involve facilitating access to UNESCO funding, drawing on Egypt’s vast experience in archaeological conservation.
· Education Reform: The two countries are exploring the introduction of Egypt’s successful Japanese school model—a curriculum that emphasises discipline, practical skills, and holistic development—to Ghanaian educational institutions. Additionally, plans are underway to establish a technology university in Ghana, modelled on Egypt’s applied technology institutes, to bridge the skills gap in STEM fields.
· Information Technology and Cybersecurity: A separate MoU will focus on building Ghana’s digital resilience, with Egyptian cybersecurity firms offering training, threat intelligence sharing, and infrastructure support.
· Pharmaceutical Regulation: The Ghana Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) will strengthen its collaboration with Egypt’s counterpart agency to harmonise regulatory standards, facilitate drug registration, and promote the exchange of best practices in quality control and pharmacovigilance.

Other agreements will target technical cooperation in agriculture, renewable energy, and trade facilitation, though specific details are still being finalised.

A Growing Economic Footprint

Ambassador Fathy highlighted that bilateral economic ties are already gaining momentum, with approximately 50 Egyptian companies currently operating in Ghana across construction, mining, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. “We have factories bringing a lot of investments to this country, as we believe in the opportunities under the leadership of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama,” he said. These enterprises have created thousands of jobs and contributed to local industrialisation, while bilateral trade has expanded—notably with Ghanaian cocoa products and raw materials finding their way to the Egyptian market.

The ambassador reiterated that the Egyptian Embassy is actively promoting Ghana as an attractive investment destination, particularly for Egyptian firms seeking to access the West African market via the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Continental Leadership and the AU Presidency

Beyond bilateral affairs, Mr. Fathy underscored Egypt’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s growing role on the African stage. He announced that Egypt will host the African Union (AU) Mid-Year Coordination Summit and the first African Business Forum in October 2026 in the coastal city of El Alamein. President John Dramani Mahama is expected to attend, along with other African leaders.

“Ghana will be the president of the African Union next year. We are paving the way for the leadership of Ghana to the whole continent of Africa,” the ambassador stated, noting that the forum would provide a unique platform for Ghana to showcase its investment potential and renew its Pan-African credentials.

Historic Bonds: From Nasser to Nkrumah

The ambassador’s remarks were steeped in historical references. He described Ghana as “home” for Egyptians, tracing the friendship to the era of President Gamal Abdel Nasser and Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The symbolic marriage of Dr. Nkrumah to Fathia Nkrumah—an Egyptian—remains a powerful testament to the unity of the two nations. “We consider ourselves in our home. Ghana is not our second home; it is our home,” Mr. Fathy said, adding that this year’s National Day celebration was also a tribute to the enduring Ghana-Egypt partnership.

Ghana’s Commitment and Future Outlook

Representing the Government of Ghana, Deputy Minister for the Interior, Mr. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, reaffirmed Accra’s readiness to deepen collaboration. He highlighted existing cooperation in trade, agriculture, health, tourism, defence, and capacity building, noting that Egypt has provided training for numerous Ghanaian public officials through the Egyptian Partnership for Development programme.

“Egyptian companies have contributed to our industrialisation, job creation, and skills transfer,” Mr. Terlabi said. He also acknowledged the two countries’ shared positions within the AU and the United Nations on critical issues such as peace, security, sustainable development, and reparatory justice.

The National Day reception itself was a vibrant affair, featuring Egyptian cuisine, cultural displays, and a documentary showcasing Egypt’s development milestones and heritage. The event was hosted at the newly opened Four Points by Sheraton Accra Airport Hotel, whose General Manager, Philippe Bailloux, praised Ghana as a rising destination for both business and leisure tourism, pledging world-class hospitality standards.

Looking Ahead

As Ghana and Egypt prepare to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2027, the planned MoUs and the revival of the Joint Commission represent a significant step towards translating historical goodwill into concrete outcomes. The signing ceremony is expected to take place in the coming months, potentially during President Mahama’s visit to Egypt for the AU summit. For now, both nations appear poised to redefine their partnership for a new era—one built not just on sentiment, but on shared prosperity, innovation, and African solidarity.