President John Dramani Mahama has called for stronger bilateral cooperation between Ghana and Gabon, urging both countries to deepen partnerships in trade, investment, energy, agriculture and other strategic sectors to drive economic growth and improve the livelihoods of their people.
Speaking during bilateral talks with Gabon’s President, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, at the Jubilee House in Accra, President Mahama said the long-standing relationship between the two countries should be transformed into a more purposeful and mutually beneficial partnership.
He noted that Ghana and Gabon have enjoyed more than six decades of cordial relations built on mutual respect, solidarity and a shared commitment to Pan-Africanism, peace, democratic governance and sustainable development.
“I believe that your decision to undertake this visit to Ghana reflects our personal friendship as leaders of our two countries, but it also reflects the desire that our two governments have to consolidate the long-standing bonds of friendship between our two nations into a more purposeful, ambitious and mutually beneficial partnership,” President Mahama said.
The President stressed that Africa’s current challenges, including global economic uncertainty, climate change, food insecurity, public health concerns and security threats, require closer collaboration among African nations.
“Our meeting today takes place against the backdrop of a defining moment for Africa and for the wider international community. While our continent continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and promise, we also face pressing challenges such as global economic uncertainty, climate change, food insecurity, public health concerns and complex security threats. These realities make it imperative for African countries to work more closely together on the basis of African-led solutions,” he stated.
President Mahama said trade and investment should remain at the centre of the Ghana-Gabon partnership, urging both countries to encourage stronger private-sector collaboration and create an enabling environment for businesses.
“Trade and investment must remain central to this agenda. We should encourage stronger partnerships between our private sectors. We should facilitate investment flows and create an enabling environment for businesses in both countries to collaborate in manufacturing, agribusiness, transport and logistics, infrastructure development, financial services and value addition,” he said.
According to him, expanding commercial exchanges between Ghana and Gabon would stimulate economic growth, create jobs and improve the competitiveness of both economies.
The President also highlighted agriculture and fisheries as sectors with enormous potential for collaboration, noting that both countries could work together in sustainable fisheries management, aquaculture, climate-smart agriculture, agricultural research and food security initiatives.
He further called for enhanced cooperation in mining and natural resource governance to promote responsible mining practices, local content development, mineral beneficiation, environmental stewardship and transparent resource management.
President Mahama also identified education, technical skills development and research as important pillars for strengthening relations between the two countries.
He proposed greater collaboration through scholarship programmes, faculty exchanges, scientific research and technical and vocational training to help build Africa’s future workforce.
On climate change, President Mahama said Ghana and Gabon were well-positioned to collaborate on biodiversity conservation, carbon markets, renewable energy, climate resilience, sustainable forest management and advocacy for increased climate financing for Africa.
He also urged stronger cooperation in maritime security, including efforts to combat piracy, illegal fishing and promote the blue economy.
“As maritime nations bordering the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana and Gabon have a shared interest in promoting maritime security, combating piracy and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, protecting the marine ecosystem and advancing the blue economy as a driver of inclusive and sustainable growth,” he stated.
President Mahama expressed confidence that the discussions between the two leaders would open new avenues of cooperation and position Ghana and Gabon as stronger partners in advancing regional integration, economic transformation and sustainable development across Africa.
