By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for stronger economic ties between South Africa and Ghana and implementation of more than 20 agreements signed since establishment of diplomatic relations between Pretoria and Accra in 1994.
Speaking during the Second Session of the South Africa-Ghana Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Pretoria on Tuesday, Ramaphosa emphasised the importance of expanding trade and investment between South Africa and Ghana.
“Our companies are keen to expand their investments in Ghana and look to us to work together to improve the business environment,” Ramaphosa said during the BNC that he co-chaired with his Ghanaian counterpart Nana Akufo-Addo.
He added: “We invite investors from Ghana to look at opportunities in our country.”
There are over 100 South African companies registered in Ghana such as telecoms giant MTN, miners AngloGold Ashanti and Goldfields, retail giant Shoprite, and financial institutions Standard Bank, First National Bank, and Barclays/Absa.
Ramaphosa also pointed out the potential for collaboration in infrastructure, particularly in the building of dry ports, railway networks, airports, and hospital facilities.
He also cited opportunities in the pre-chemicals sector and the maritime economy, given that both countries are coastal.
Ramaphosa added: “As we are both coastal countries, maritime shipping and the related economy holds potential for us and opportunities should be explored further in this regard.”
The president highlighted the 24 existing agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two nations, covering various areas of economic, technical, scientific, social and cultural cooperation.
He emphasized the need to accelerate the implementation of these agreements and finalise discussions on additional ones.
Peace and security
As the two Heads of State meet at a time when the state of peace and security is fragile across the globe, Ramaphosa emphasised that they redouble their efforts to ‘Silence the Guns in Africa’.
He said they need to capacitate the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities to do more in pursuit of peace and stability.
“Internal strife, conflicts and wars, compounded by terrorism and violent extremism, are a major obstacle to peace, security and stability. They threaten to constrain our developmental efforts and our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The situations in Sudan, Somalia, Libya and the Sahel, among others, are of grave concern, as are the armed hostilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the extremist insurrection in northern Mozambique, “he said.
Elections in Africa
Ramaphosa further highlighted that this will be an important year for democracy in Africa, with 19 African countries – including South Africa and Ghana – holding presidential or national elections in 2024.
He emphasised that these elections are important for the quality of governance and the strength of democracy on the continent.
“We must, however, be concerned that in several parts of the continent, unconstitutional changes of government, particularly through military coups, are on the rise.
“Global developments, such as the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, continue to threaten food and energy security in Africa,” he said.
The President said African nations, with their own bitter experiences of colonial occupation, are extremely concerned by the terrible events in Palestine and the suffering unleashed on the people of Gaza.