Ghana FM makes historic visit to Kyiv

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ghana, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday, February 25, for the first-ever visit in the history of bilateral relations between the two countries.

This was announced by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, during a joint press conference with his Ghanaian counterpart, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

“I am pleased to welcome my Ghanaian colleague, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to Kyiv today. This is a historic first visit by a foreign minister of the Republic of Ghana to Ukraine, and in fact the first standalone visit by an African foreign minister since the start of the full-scale war,” Sybiha said.

He emphasized that Ukraine views Ghana as an important partner in West Africa and on the African continent as a whole.

The head of Ukrainian diplomacy noted that Ukraine highly values Ghana’s principled position on respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its consistent support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, including during yesterday’s vote at the UN General Assembly.

“We agreed to step up political contacts at all levels and to expand the legal and treaty framework underpinning our relations,” the Ukrainian Foreign Minister said.

Sybiha described today’s talks with his Ghanaian counterpart as “very substantive and practical.” According to him, the sides discussed a wide range of bilateral issues – from political dialogue and economic cooperation to engagement in international organizations and humanitarian matters.

“We also separately discussed prospects for cooperation with Ghana in organizing Ukrainian and Ghanaian humanitarian initiatives aimed at ensuring global food stability… We had a very focused discussion, including the possibility of establishing a grain hub on Ghanaian territory. Particular attention was paid to expanding trade, agricultural partnership, cooperation in education, and collaboration in the defense industries,” Sybiha noted.

As previously reported, Ukraine and Ghana are launching a joint food processing and distribution center.