As part of scheduled activities for the three day State Visit of the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, bilateral talks were held with his host, the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama on Thursday, 2nd April, 2026 with the view to elevating the relations between the two countries to a higher pedestal for the benefit of the citizens of both countries. The dialogue between the two leaders covered a range of topics relevant to the development of the two countries.
After recalling the bond of friendship between the two countries, President Mahama emphasised the need to utilize the platform provided by the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area to promote trade between Ghana and Zimbabwe to spur economic growth. He said the visit is a testament to the commitment of Ghana and Zimbabwe to renew their relations to harness opportunities for the betterment of the two countries. He mentioned that the number of negotiated Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the two countries is an indication of the resolve to provide practical meaning to the relations. He announced that from 25th May which is also African Union Day, Ghana would commence free e-visa to all Africans in the quest to accelerate the continental integration agenda, Pan-Africanism and tourism without compromising security.
On his part, the visiting Head of State, His Excellency Mnangagwa lauded the ties between the two countries and recalled the material and diplomatic support provided by Ghana during the liberation struggle of Zimbabwe. He also acknowledged the assistance offered to contribute to nation building by providing personnel in sectors including education, judiciary, health. He commended the Vice President, Her Excellency Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang for her contribution to Zimbabwe’s development journey during the period she served as the Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa and also paid special tribute to the late Ambassador Ebenezer Moses Debrah for the role he played in the establishment of the Foreign Service of Zimbabwe. He added that the MoUs negotiated during the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) would bring about more deliverables and broaden the scope of the relations between the two countries.
He stressed the need for collaboration between the private sectors of the two countries and commended the outcome of the Business Round Table held by the business communities in Ghana and Zimbabwe. Underscoring the relevance of people-to-people exchanges in enhancing bilateral relations, President Mnangagwa detailed the benefits of tourism and informed of ongoing effort for sister-city arrangement between Cape Coast and Victoria Falls.
Ghana and Zimbabwe signed the following to further enhance their relations:
i. Agreed Minutes on the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation;
ii. MoU on Political and Diplomatic Consultations;
iii. MoU on Cooperation in Research, Training and Documentation between the Foreign Service Institutes of Ghana and Zimbabwe;
iv. MoU on Cooperation in the field of Sports;
v. MoU on Cooperation in the field of Health;
vi. MoU on Cooperation in the field of Energy;
vii. MoU on Cooperation in the field of Archives;
viii. MoU on Cooperation in the field of Tourism
ix. MoU on the Construction of Museum of African Liberation;
x. MoU between ZimTrade and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority;
xi. MoU between Geo-Pomona Waste Management Private Limited and Jospong Group of Companies
In their closing remarks the two Presidents, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama and His Excellency Emmerson D. Mnangagwa demonstrated their resolve to working together at both bilateral and multilateral levels to strengthen the bonds of friendship between Ghana and Zimbabwe
