By Celestine Avi and Seth Eyiah
Minsk, Belarus — Ghana and Belarus have strengthened bilateral relations with the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at boosting cooperation in trade, agriculture, and institutional partnerships between the two countries.
The agreements were signed during an official ceremony as President John Dramani Mahama paid a state visit to Belarus, marking what both sides described as a significant step in advancing mutually beneficial cooperation.
Addressing the ceremony, President Mahama expressed gratitude to his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, for the warm reception and hospitality extended to the Ghanaian delegation.
He conveyed greetings from the people of Ghana and emphasized that the visit reflects the long-standing cordial relations between the two countries, which have existed since 1992.
“This visit marks an important moment in the relations between our two countries. It provides us an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to building a modern and forward-looking partnership founded on mutual respect, sovereign equality and practical cooperation,” President Mahama stated.
The three MoUs signed include: the establishment of a Joint Commission on Cooperation in Trade and Economy; cooperation between the Chambers of Commerce of both countries; and collaboration in agriculture.
According to President Mahama, the agreements go beyond diplomatic symbolism and are expected to provide a practical framework for government institutions and the private sector to deepen engagement, reduce trade barriers, and promote investment flows.
He highlighted agriculture as a key priority of Ghana’s development agenda, noting the country’s focus on modernising the sector through mechanisation, irrigation expansion, agro-processing, and value addition.
President Mahama said Belarus’ expertise in agricultural mechanisation, farm technology, and equipment manufacturing presents significant opportunities for partnership, including technology transfer and skills development.
“By combining Ghana’s agricultural potential with Belarusian expertise and innovation, we can create partnerships that contribute to food security, industrial growth, and shared prosperity,” he said.
Beyond agriculture, he outlined opportunities for cooperation in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, mining support services, transport and logistics, technical and vocational education, renewable energy, and industrial development.
He further disclosed that Belarusian officials are expected to visit Ghana to explore collaboration in the mining sector.
President Mahama also underscored Ghana’s position as an investment destination in West Africa, citing its political stability, youthful population, improving infrastructure, and expanding regional market access.
In the face of shifting global economic and geopolitical dynamics, he called for stronger international cooperation built on fairness, practicality, and mutual benefit.
“The world today faces profound economic and geopolitical changes… Ghana remains committed to building diversified partnerships across all regions,” he said.
He added that the success of the agreements will ultimately be measured not by signatures, but by the tangible benefits delivered to citizens in both countries.
The MoUs were signed on behalf of Ghana by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Ambassador to Russia, Mr. Jehu Appiah, and the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku.
President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to ensuring effective implementation of the agreements, expressing optimism that the partnership with Belarus will yield long-term benefits in economic development, technological advancement, food security, and shared prosperity.
