Ghana and the United Kingdom reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their bilateral relationship during a meeting between Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner in Accra. President Mahama emphasized the continuity of Ghana’s foreign policy towards the UK, expressing a desire to elevate the partnership to new heights. This visit, being the first high-level engagement since President Mahama’s inauguration, underscores the significance of the UK-Ghana relationship. The two leaders discussed existing areas of cooperation and explored avenues for aligning them with the new Ghanaian government’s vision.
A key focus of the discussions revolved around Ghana’s current economic challenges and its engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). President Mahama highlighted the need for fiscal discipline and a commitment to achieving economic growth and prosperity. Job creation emerged as a priority, particularly given Ghana’s young and expanding population. The President underscored the importance of attracting foreign direct investment, especially in light of Ghana’s limited access to international credit markets. He emphasized the historical presence of British companies in Ghana and expressed his hope to showcase further investment opportunities to attract more British businesses.
President Mahama acknowledged the increasingly transactional nature of international relations and the challenges posed by a reduction in aid from the United States. He expressed confidence in Ghana’s ability to adjust its budget to address the shortfall but called on other international partners to maintain or even increase their cooperation to support vulnerable populations within Ghana. The President stressed the importance of collaboration to create jobs and improve the lives of Ghanaians.
Deputy Prime Minister Rayner congratulated President Mahama on his electoral victory and expressed her honor at being among the first to visit him in Accra. She lauded his vision for a 24-hour economy and affirmed the UK’s shared aspiration for economic growth in both nations. Rayner emphasized the UK government’s alignment with Ghana’s focus on growth and job creation as a means to enhance living standards. She pledged the UK’s continued support as a steadfast partner in achieving these goals.
The meeting underscored a shared vision for deeper economic ties between the UK and Ghana. Both leaders expressed a commitment to working together to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and improve the lives of their citizens. The discussions emphasized the importance of foreign direct investment, particularly in light of Ghana’s current economic challenges and its engagement with the IMF.
The visit of the British Deputy Prime Minister signaled the UK’s continued commitment to its partnership with Ghana. The emphasis on economic growth and job creation reflects the shared priorities of both nations. Both leaders expressed confidence in their ability to work together to achieve these goals and further strengthen their bilateral relationship. The meeting served as a platform for reaffirming the strong ties between the two countries and charting a course for future collaboration.
