Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has made history as the first African Foreign Minister to be hosted on an official visit to Kyrgyzstan.
During the visit, Mr. Ablakwa expressed gratitude to President Sadyr Japarov and Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev for their warm invitation and hospitality. He noted that both nations are eager to forge a strategic and visionary partnership across several priority areas.
Key Agreements
- Gold Sector Cooperation: Ghana, Africa’s leading gold producer, and Kyrgyzstan, home to the renowned Kumtor Gold Mines, committed to building a mutually beneficial partnership to strengthen their economies.
- Visa Waiver Agreement: Both countries signed a visa waiver for holders of diplomatic and service passports, with plans to extend it to ordinary passport holders in the near future.
- Political Consultations: A second agreement was signed to establish formal political consultations, deepening bilateral dialogue.
Economic and Diplomatic Outlook
The partnership aims to diversify markets for Ghana’s growing economy, leveraging Kyrgyzstan’s strong GDP growth over the past three years. The cooperation also reflects a broader south-south collaboration, as Kyrgyzstan was recently accorded observer status at the African Union (AU).
Mr. Ablakwa described the agreements as a demonstration of trust and friendship, underscoring Ghana’s commitment to expanding its global partnerships beyond traditional allies.
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