President John Dramani Mahama has urged 11 newly accredited ambassadors and high commissioners to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations with Ghana, calling for partnerships that translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
The President made the call when he received Letters of Credence from representatives of South Africa, Nigeria, India, Lebanon, Australia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Finland, Slovakia, Sweden and Thailand at the Presidency on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
“Let our relationships continue to flourish to yield tangible benefits for our two peoples,” he said, urging the diplomats to identify new areas of cooperation in trade, investment, industrialisation, technology and other sectors of mutual interest.
The ceremony formally accredited the envoys as representatives of their respective heads of state and marked the commencement of their diplomatic assignments in Ghana.
Welcoming them, President Mahama congratulated the diplomats on their appointments and assured them of his government’s friendship, cooperation and support.
He acknowledged the delay in organising the ceremony, attributing it to a busy year for his administration.
He said that despite differences in geography, history, culture and levels of socio-economic development, Ghana and the countries represented shared aspirations for peace, prosperity and friendly relations.
“As a peace-loving member of the United Nations, Ghana is committed to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the Organisation and its objectives for international peace, prosperity and the dignity of all people,” he stated.
South Africa
On Ghana’s relations with South Africa, President Mahama reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between the two countries, rooted in their historical solidarity during the struggle against apartheid.
He congratulated South Africa on the successful conclusion of its G20 presidency and its efforts to advance Africa’s priorities internationally.
He also acknowledged discussions held in the first quarter of 2026 on implementing agreements reached at the Second Ghana-South Africa Binational Commission.
Nigeria
Regarding Nigeria, the President proposed that the next session of the Ghana-Nigeria Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation, established in 1988, be held in the first quarter of 2028. He said he had instructed Ghana’s High Commissioner in Abuja to engage Nigerian Foreign Ministry officials to facilitate the meeting.
He called for increased trade and investment between the two countries under ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He also assured Nigeria that concerns regarding its property at 19–21 Julius Nyerere Street, North Ridge, Accra, were receiving attention from the relevant authorities in both countries.
India
On India, President Mahama recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2025 visit to Ghana, which elevated relations between the two countries to a comprehensive partnership.
He highlighted an agreement on academic and scientific cooperation involving the University of Ghana and India’s Geological Survey.
He also acknowledged India’s contribution to Ghana’s development through concessional financing, grants, credit facilities and technical cooperation.
Lebanon
For Lebanon, he recognised the Lebanese community’s contributions to Ghana’s manufacturing, commerce, real estate, education, healthcare and hospitality sectors, encouraging further investment in agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, infrastructure and tourism.
Australia
On Australia, he identified agriculture, technology transfer, industrial development and private-sector collaboration as priority areas, while acknowledging Australia’s contribution to Ghana’s emerging lithium and critical minerals industry.
Switzerland
President Mahama said Swiss development assistance through the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) had contributed to creating 45,000 jobs in agricultural value chains, including cashew and palm oil. He also acknowledged Switzerland’s support for public financial management and the training of 5,000 accounting professionals.
The Netherlands
He encouraged The Netherlands to increase investment in industrialisation, innovation and value addition, expressing optimism that Queen Máxima’s recent visit to Ghana as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health would produce practical outcomes.
Finland
For Finland, he identified manufacturing, technological innovation, green technologies and digital infrastructure as areas for deeper cooperation, while urging Slovakia to invest in manufacturing, machinery, energy infrastructure, science and technology.
Slovakia
He also encouraged the early conclusion of proposed agreements between Ghana and Slovakia on visa exemptions for diplomatic and service passport holders and investment protection.
Sweden
On Sweden, the President welcomed the establishment of the BASE Nord business hub in Accra, which is expected to strengthen business networking, trade missions and partnerships between Ghanaian and Swedish and Nordic businesses.
Thailand
Regarding Thailand, he encouraged investment in manufacturing, agriculture, agro-processing and infrastructure. He also expressed support for discussions towards a bilateral investment treaty, a Ghana-Thailand Business Council and a proposed 12,000-hectare oil palm plantation with a modern processing mill.
AU
President Mahama called on the envoys to support Ghana’s international engagements as the country prepares to assume the chairmanship of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government in 2027.
“I count on your government’s cooperation to advance the priorities of the African Union. I also count on your support to sustain the momentum on the reparatory justice agenda,” he said.
Describing diplomacy as a means of building bridges between nations, he said it should create opportunities for understanding, resolving common challenges and achieving shared prosperity.
He assured the diplomats of the full support of the Government of Ghana, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and wished them successful tours of duty.
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