Ghana and Kenya has formed a bi-national commission to elevate their relations. The agreement was reached at Jubilee House on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 when the President of Kenya, William Ruto, visited President Akufo-Addo.
He was on a 3-day official state visit to Ghana to strengthen the ties of cooperation that exist between the two countries.
The Kenyan President, William Ruto, embarked on his maiden visit to Ghana since assuming office in September 2022.
AGREEMENTS
The two sides signed a memorandum of Understanding to elevate the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) that governs economic growth and technical cooperation between the two nations.
The signing ceremony took place at Jubilee House and was witnessed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and President William Ruto of Kenya.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary/Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Dr Musalia Mudavadi, supervised the signing ceremony.
Seven other agreements on education, tourism, diplomacy, defence cooperation and security, trade and investment, manufacturing and governance were also signed to strengthen relations between the two countries.
TALKS
Prior to the signing, the two Presidents, with their ministers had an indoor deliberation which centered on driving investments, domestic and foreign, into both countries.
They further discussed mutual ways to intensify value adding industrial transformation for the two economies anchored on the things they make and grow.
In furtherance to boosting trade and investment, the much-talked about Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was at the center of the talks.
Ghana and Kenya have made significant strides in their bilateral relations by reaching an agreement on visa waivers for all categories of passports.
JOINT PRESS CONFAB
Both Presidents addressed the press shortly after the bilateral talks among themselves. President Akufo-Addo highlighted the steady growth of trade and economic ties between Ghana and Kenya.
On the international level, he indicated that both nations have fostered deeper understanding and supported each other, including at the United Nations, the African Union and the Commonwealth.
According to President Akufo-Addo, their talks focused on boosting domestic and foreign investment into their two nations, as well as the need for improved cooperation and participation in development activities.
In the view of President Akufo-Addo, it is such transformation “that will give us the best opportunity to derive maximum benefits from our abandoned natural resources.”
President Ruto on his part said the establishment of the bi-national commission would allow his country to elevate its interaction and collaboration with Ghana.
“We have noted this development as a significant milestone in the evolution of our diplomatic ties, which stand on a warm and cordial dynamic and impactful historic collaboration.
“We have also agreed that the inaugural session of the BI national commission would provide us with an opportunity to reaffirm our friendship, deepen our bilateral ties, and strengthen the normal course of African economic integration as espoused by our Africa Union Agenda 2063,” he noted.
TRADES
In September 2022, Kenya shipped its first consignment of locally made batteries to Ghana, following its selection among seven countries to pilot the continental free trade area, aimed at facilitating the movement of goods and services across Africa.
According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, Kenya’s exports to Ghana in 2021 were valued at 10.3 million dollars. Keys products exported from Ghana to Kenya during the same period included cocoa powder, rubber, and other live plants, cuttings and slips, as well as mushroom spawn.
