President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, 12th March 2024, co-chaired the meeting of the Bi-National Commission, the highest form of international co-operation between Ghana and South Africa, President of S0uth Africa Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Commission serves as framework for regular intercourse between our two countries, including our trade and investment concerns.
Since the inaugural Session of the Bi-National Commission, in December 2021, President Akufo-Addo said Ghana and South Africa have made remarkable strides towards the attainment of the objectives we have set for ourselves.
Notable amongst these achievements are the signing of the Agreement on Co-operation in the Field of Agriculture, with initial contacts being made on the Joint Implementation Committee between the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, he said.
“The Letter of Intent on Gender Related Matters was also signed during the period, and has progressed to a Memorandum of Understanding, which will also be signed today.
“Additionally, to enhance security between our two countries, the Defence Cooperation Agreement was signed in May 2023, and the Joint Defence Committee, which is to implement the tenets of the agreement, will be engaging each other in the second quarter of 2024.
“Under the Bi-National Committee arrangements, the two countries have also eliminated the visa barriers through the Visa Waiver Agreement, which came into effect on 1st November 2023, to enhance people-to-people engagement between the two countries, for business as well as tourism.
“Indeed, our engagements, before and after the inauguration of the Bi-national Commission, have also led to a draft Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations, which will oversee bilateral issues, and the exchange of views on regional and international issues of common interest on a regular basis. I am pleased to note that the MoU on Political Consultations was signed today,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
He stressed that ” Ghana is safe, and protects legitimate businesses.”