Story by Bruce Chahwanda
PRESIDENT Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for deeper cooperation between Zimbabwe and Ghana, urging African nations to accelerate economic transformation and industrialisation.
The President made the remarks at the conclusion of his three-day State visit, which ended with a tour of the Sweden–Ghana Medical Centre, a specialist cancer treatment facility regarded as one of the most advanced in West Africa.
The visit culminated in the signing of 10 Memoranda of Understanding covering sectors including tourism, health, agriculture, education, waste management, diplomatic cooperation, archives and trade promotion.
President Mnangagwa said relations between the two countries have entered a new phase focused on economic emancipation.
“Our engagement is entering a new phase, focused on economic emancipation. The time has now come for Africa to accelerate its march towards economic transformation, industrialisation and shared prosperity. In this regard, President John Dramani Mahama and I held productive and forward-looking discussions on how Zimbabwe and Ghana can deepen cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, mining, energy, tourism, health, sports and education, among other strategic sectors,” he said.
The signed agreements are expected to unlock new opportunities and strengthen institutional collaboration between the two nations.
“Further, our two Sister Republics have signed a number of cooperation agreements and Memoranda of Understanding, and more will be signed, to strengthen institutional collaboration and unlock new opportunities for our two economies. Both countries are determined to leverage the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area to expand intra-African trade. Zimbabwe and Ghana possess complementary economic strengths, and we are committed to promoting stronger commercial exchanges and building resilient African value chains,” President Mnangagwa said.
Zimbabwe is also exploring manpower exchange programmes with Ghana in the health sector, aimed at improving service delivery and boosting local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
“In the health sector, the proposal to pursue manpower exchange programmes for the deployment of medical professionals is a noble initiative. It is indeed critically important that we pool our strengths for improved access to affordable health delivery, innovation and the local manufacturing of medicines and medical supplies in our nations,” he said.
President Mnangagwa was seen off at the Accra International Airport by President Mahama, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Ghana Kufa Chinoza and embassy officials.
