Ghana, Zimbabwe pledge stronger economic ties in bilateral meeting

President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana held bilateral talks with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday, focusing on deepening economic cooperation, regional integration, and shared development priorities between the two nations.

The meeting comes at a pivotal moment as Africa accelerates implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). President Mahama stressed the urgency of deepening intra-African collaboration, calling on member states to strengthen trade, investment, and cooperation to unlock the full potential of the continental agreement.

As host of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to promoting economic integration. President Mahama noted that Ghana’s strategic position within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), combined with Zimbabwe’s role in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), offers a unique opportunity to strengthen linkages between West and Southern Africa.

The leaders identified mining and agriculture as key sectors for enhanced collaboration. President Mahama emphasised the importance of responsible mining practices, value addition, and beneficiation to ensure Africa retains greater value from its natural resources. On agriculture, he acknowledged Zimbabwe’s experience as valuable for supporting Ghana’s efforts to build resilient food systems, strengthen food security, and modernise the sector.

President Mnangagwa, in his remarks, reaffirmed the deep historical and fraternal ties between Ghana and Zimbabwe, rooted in their shared struggle for self-determination following Ghana’s independence in 1957. He paid tribute to Ghana’s role in supporting liberation movements, including military training, as well as moral, political, and diplomatic support during the liberation era.

He emphasised that the enduring bonds between the two nations are grounded in Pan-African ideals, mutual respect, and a shared vision for prosperity. President Mnangagwa also highlighted the importance of leveraging platforms such as the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) to deepen collaboration across trade, energy, tourism, labour, and industrial development.

Both leaders called for increased utilisation of opportunities under the AfCFTA to boost economic cooperation and promote business-to-business engagements. They also stressed the need for knowledge sharing in sustainable mining, healthcare innovation, and local manufacturing of essential goods.

The meeting reaffirmed Ghana and Zimbabwe’s shared commitment to advancing African unity, economic transformation, and a future of peace, prosperity, and strengthened bilateral relations.