Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu & Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Confer

When he meets with His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana,

During the state visit to Zambia From 26th to 29th June, 2017

Your Excellency,

I welcome you to Zambia and Lusaka in particular and wish you better stay. Your visit will further consolidate the excellent relations between Zambia and Ghana.

We are delighted that Zambia is the first country that your Excellency is visiting in southern Africa since your election. It is not a coincidence but it is because we share common history.

Our common history is intertwined in the shared ideals and values by our founding fathers Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda who also pioneered the formation of the organization of African unity (OAU) which is now the African union.

We are proud of Ghana’s democratic record and good governance.

You’re Excellency,

Although i already extended my congratulations to you on your election as president of the republic of Ghana, your election is still fresh and once again, i wish to reiterate my congratulations to you.

Your election is a true reflection of the confidence that the people of Ghana have in your vision for the country. We look forward to working closely with your Excellency during your tenure as president of the republic of Ghana.

Zambia and Ghana have continued enjoying warm and cordial relations over the years premised on shared values and common interests, as well as membership to the United Nations, commonwealth and the African union, amongst other organisations.

Your Excellency, during your tenure and my tenure, we will speak the same language both in the commonwealth and United Nations for the benefit of the African continent.

Joint Permanent Commission

the Zambia – Ghana joint permanent commission of cooperation (JPC) which was established following the signing of the agreement in April, 2017, will further enhance the bilateral relations between the two countries.

It is an agreement between Zambia and Ghana which has been inactive but we have to revive it and use it as a vehicle for cooperation in mining, agriculture and infrastructure development among others, to mutually benefit our two countries.

The JPC provides a platform to promote and reinforce bilateral cooperation in many diverse areas for mutual benefit.

Your Excellency,

I am aware that your country has issues of taxation in gold mining just like we too have in copper mining. In this regard, our countries can share best practices in mineral taxation for the mutual benefit of our people.

The Zambian government is committed to working closely with Ghana in the creation of the “Africa we want” that is peaceful, prosperous, integrated, united, secure, and influential on the global arena as espoused in the African union’s agenda 2063. Regional integration is the one which will lead us to the Africa we want.

As a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) and as an advocate of peace and security, Zambia is ready to cooperate with Ghana on such matters.

Your Excellency,

Ghana and Zambia share a lot in common in among other sectors sports, agriculture and education. Our flags are almost similar.

Economic relations

Both Zambia and Ghana are well endowed with natural resources and opportunities for value addition and job creation.

Bilateral trade

We can explore a lot through the joint permanent commission by increasing our trade relations. There is need for Zambia to have direct trade with Ghana especially in products such as cocoa as opposed to getting the product from elsewhere.

Ghanaian products should directly find themselves in Zambia. Zambia sees Ghana as a country of strategic interest for trade in products such as cocoa.

We should collaborate more in trade and encourage education exchange programmes. This cooperation should extend to our people.

Agriculture

Ghana is the third largest cassava producer in Africa and has vast experience in cassava growing and value addition. The minister of agriculture is interested in pursuing this matter with your country. We would like to focus on crops that are easy and less costly to produce. There is need for us to diversify and add value to raw materials.

Your Excellency,

We believe that Ghana has better practices and technology for value addition for cassava. Therefore, Zambia is interested in learning from Ghana in this area.

Tourism

There is need for Zambia to appreciate the tourism sector in Ghana. Therefore, our minister of tourism and arts is encouraged to look at how Ghana is performing in the tourism sector to learn best practices.

Private sector collaboration

The private sector is at the heart of our economic growth. For the industry to thrive, the private sector plays an important role. In this regard, there is need for our business men and women to have exchange visits as this will promote their growth.

Your Excellency,

I wish to reaffirm Zambia’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations with Ghana.

If bilaterally, we cannot collaborate, it would be difficult for us to cooperate at multilateral level.

I am grateful to you, your Excellency for accepting the invitation to visit Zambia which has provided an opportunity for us to discuss matters of mutual interest to both countries. I thank you.”

-Goodday to you all,