Ghana has established diplomatic relations with Madagascar and St. Lucia by signing communiques during the UN General Assembly. It also entered into an investment protection agreement with Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at enhancing bilateral trade. Discussions included intra-African trade and the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where Ghanaian Foreign Minister Ms. Shirley Botchwey is a candidate for Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
Ghana has officially entered into diplomatic relations with Madagascar and St. Lucia through the signing of two communiques. The ceremonies took place during the United Nations General Assembly, with Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Ms. Shirley Botchwey, representing her nation. Her counterparts, Ms. Rasata Rafaravavitafika from Madagascar and Mr. Alva Baptiste from St. Lucia, also participated in the signing process. The discussions between Ms. Botchwey and Ms. Rafaravavitafika focused on the potential benefits of intra-African trade, noting that Madagascar plans to join the African Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) pact in the forthcoming month. As an early signatory of the AfCFTA, Ghana serves as the host for its secretariat in Accra. Additionally, Ms. Botchwey signed an Agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investment (ARPPI) with Dr. Amery Browne, the Foreign Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. Dr. Browne expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, which aims to enhance bilateral trade by fostering economic cooperation while safeguarding investors’ rights against unlawful expropriation. Despite the current limited trade exchanges between Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago, the presence of Republic Bank in Ghana signifies a growing economic relationship between the two nations. The officials also engaged in discussions regarding the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled to occur in Samoa in four weeks. Ms. Botchwey has emerged as a leading candidate to become the next Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, competing against two other candidates for the position.
The establishment of diplomatic ties by Ghana with Madagascar and St. Lucia marks a significant diplomatic milestone, reflecting Ghana’s commitment to enhancing international relations and fostering trade partnerships. The signing of communiques at the UN General Assembly highlights Ghana’s proactive approach to expanding its influence on the African continent and beyond. The African Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents a pivotal agreement aimed at facilitating trade among African nations, with Ghana playing a key role in its implementation. The Agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments with Trinidad and Tobago is intended to stimulate economic development and encourage mutual investment among the signatory nations, thus representing Ghana’s broader strategy to enhance its global trade networks.
In summary, Ghana’s recent diplomatic engagements, underscored by the establishment of ties with Madagascar and St. Lucia and the investment agreement with Trinidad and Tobago, are poised to bolster its international standing and promote intra-African trade. These developments not only reflect Ghana’s commitment to fostering regional cooperation but also signal its appetite for greater economic collaboration with Caribbean nations. The forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting presents an opportunity for Ghana to further assert its leadership role within the Commonwealth framework.
Original Source: www.modernghana.com
