Ghana and Mozambique have jointly condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine, and have also called for an immediate cessation of the conflict.
The presidents of both countries expressed concern over the happenings at a joint press conference at Jubilee House in Accra yesterday.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the President of Mozambique, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, lamented over the effects of the war on their countries, at a time the losses from the pandemic were still being counted.
Mr. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi is on a four-day official visit to Ghana, the first of its kind by a President from Mozambique.
Both Presidents, at a tête-à-tête, discussed a wide range of issues bordering their two nations, including the effects of the war in Ukraine on the economies of Ghana and Mozambique.
“We both condemn Russia’s invading of Ukraine, and have called for its immediate cessation, as its effects, together with the ravages of Covid-19, have proven to be devastating to the entire world, particularly for those of us on the African Continent,” President Akufo-Addo said.
UN Reforms
Briefing the Presidential Press Corps at Jubilee House after their private conversation, President Akufo-Addo and his counterpart underscored the essence of reforming the composition and structure of the Security Council of the United Nations (UN).
Their advocacy was to give Africa a permanent seat, especially in the wake of current global challenges.
The duo stated that the current global circumstances called for an urgent need to put back on the global agenda the demand for the reform of the UN on the basis of Africa’s common position on UN reform.
According to them, given the multiple threats to the territorial integrity of several countries on the continent, it would not be right for the UN to reduce its peacekeeping operations in Africa.
They noted that many of the civilian population in Africa were currently under serious threats, and urged the UN to support the countries to address terrorism and other security challenges on the continent.
Ghana to support Mozambique
President Akufo-Addo thanked the Mozambiquecan government for supporting Ghana’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, adding that Ghana working to ensure Africa’s voice was “loud and clear on matters affecting the continent.”
“I want to assure you that when the vote is taken in June in the membership for Eastern and Southern Africa, Ghana will be a firm supporter of Mozambique for the seat,” he said.
Agreements signed
The two countries signed a joint permanent cooperation agreement to govern their relations.
The agreement is to enable the governments of both countries to boost political and economic relations, cultural and people to people exchanges, as well as cooperation at the continental and global fronts.
The two leaders discussed collaboration in the areas of education, trade and industry, agriculture, defense cooperation, immigration, environment, energy, science and technology and tourism.
Visit to Nkrumah Museum, AfCFTA Office
President Nyusi as part of his visit to the country, was at the Kwame Nkrumah Museum, where he laid wreath under the monument of the first president of Ghana, mounted at the museum.
Later, he visited the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Accra, where he was joined by President Akufo-Addo and they toured the building.
At a brief ceremony after the tour, the two Presidents and the Secretary General of the AfCFTA, Wamkele Mene, and the Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen addressed a gathering.
State Banquet
As diplomacy requires, President Akufo-Addo, later in the evening, held a state banquet at Jubilee House for his guest, who is in the country upon the invitation of Ghana.
The two Presidents separately proposed toasts to a better future for both countries.
