Ghana’s Prez Mahama meets UK Prime Minister Starmer at Downing Street for strategic talks

President John Dramani Mahama held a breakfast meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street on Monday morning, in a move aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation between Ghana and the United Kingdom.

The high-level engagement focused on strengthening economic ties, unlocking trade and investment opportunities, and advancing shared priorities such as climate resilience, youth employment, and sustainable development.

President Mahama was accompanied by a high-powered delegation, including Ghana’s Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland, Zita Sabah Benson.

Economic Partnership and Debt Restructuring

Discussions touched on Ghana’s ongoing economic recovery programme under the IMF support package, with President Mahama seeking the UK’s continued backing for debt restructuring efforts and access to affordable financing. Finance Minister Dr Forson is understood to have briefed UK Treasury officials on Ghana’s fiscal consolidation measures and growth prospects.

Trade Minister Ofosu-Adjare explored avenues to expand Ghana’s exports to the UK under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), particularly in agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, and light manufacturing. The two sides also discussed potential UK investments in Ghana’s renewable energy and digital infrastructure sectors.

A Shared Vision for the Future

In a brief statement following the meeting, a Downing Street spokesperson described the talks as “warm and constructive,” adding that both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Commonwealth partnership and promoting rules-based trade.

President Mahama later tweeted: “Productive breakfast with PM Starmer at No. 10. The UK remains a vital partner for Ghana’s economic transformation. We agreed to deepen collaboration on trade, green growth, and youth skills development.”

The meeting comes ahead of a planned Ghana-UK Business Council forum later this year, which is expected to attract British investors seeking opportunities in West Africa.

No formal communiqué was issued, but diplomatic sources described the encounter as an important step in resetting Ghana-UK relations following a period of global economic turbulence.

Both leaders are scheduled to meet again on the sidelines of the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York.