Zambia, Ghana sign 10 MoUs; abolish visa requirements to boost cooperation

Zambia and Ghana have taken a major step toward strengthening their bilateral relations through the signing of 10 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors. The agreements were signed during Ghanaian President John Mahama’s high-level visit to Zambia, covering priority areas such as trade, investment, energy, tourism, mining, agriculture, education, science and technology, youth development, and defence cooperation. Among the key outcomes, the two countries have agreed to abolish visa requirements for travellers between Zambia and Ghana.

President Mahama announced the development during his address to the Zambian Parliament in Lusaka on Thursday. He noted that the revitalized Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation provided a structured framework for engagement between the two nations, focusing on sectors that drive economic growth and sustainable development. President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening its ties with Zambia, saying his country looked forward to enhancing trade, investment, and financial cooperation to foster resilience and shared prosperity.

He also commended Zambia’s democratic progress, noting that Ghana continued to follow the country’s political developments with interest and confidence. “We wish to express our trust in the strength of your democratic institutions and the commitment of the Zambian people for free and fair elections. We shall come back to celebrate together,” the Ghanaian President said.

[paywall]

President Mahama further applauded Zambia’s efforts to stabilize its macroeconomic environment, highlighting the improved performance of the Kwacha. He underscored the importance of strong institutions, stating:“We must build our democratic institutions to be independent and efficient. Parliament and the Judiciary should work independently in the public interest and leaders [must] respect their oath of office and uphold the constitution.” Turning to the continent’s broader challenges, President Mahama urged African countries to take charge of their economic future, warning that Africa was facing a “pandemic of unfulfilled potential” amid shrinking global humanitarian assistance and rising defense spending.

He emphasized the need for Africa to redefine its development path, referencing the ACCRA Reset Initiative launched at the recent Davos Summit. President Mahama criticized the continent’s triple dependency on external actors for security, health, and education, as well as reliance on foreign suppliers for critical minerals. “Millions of African youths remain unemployed, health systems are fragile, and economies extract wealth without building capacity. There is need for African countries to conform to the changing global reality with transparency and pragmatism,” he said.

[/paywall]