The Republics of Ghana and Kenya, have stepped up their diplomatic and economic relations by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) which will establish a Bi-National Commission between the two countries with the sole aim of finding ways through which the West and East African states can boost their trade, economic and social ties.
The two countries also signed seven other MOUs ranging from Education, Tourism, Defence Cooperation, Investment Promotion, Industry and Manufacturing, and Commerce. The signing of four of the eight MOUs took place at the Jubilee House, the seat of Ghana’s presidency during a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo by the President of Kenya, William Ruto who is on a three-day state visit to Ghana.
President Akufo-Addo and President William Ruto held talks at the Jubilee House and addressed the presidential press corps after their meeting. In his remarks, President Akufo-Addo said their meeting was very successful and it has reignited the historic relations, bond of friendship, and ties of cooperation that exist between Ghana and Kenya.
Economic transformation
Akufo-Addo noted that just like the two first leaders of Ghana and Kenya, Kwame Nkrumah and Jomo Kenyatta were united by their common determination to free their peoples from foreign dominations and racist exploitation, so is he and President Ruto united in their determination to win the battle for rapid economic development by helping to intensify the value-adding, industrial transformation of their economies anchored on the things they make and grow.
“It is this transformation that will give us the best opportunity to derive maximum benefit from our abundant natural resources, in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and help bring prosperity and progress to our peoples,” President Akufo-Addo said.
Changing the narrative
President William Ruto on his part noted that during his discussions with President Akufo-Addo, it became clear that African leaders must double their efforts aimed at silencing the guns on the continent if the continent is to achieve the much-desired economic growth it so desperately needs.
He further indicated that the African Union (AU) and other existing economic communities on the continent must be resourced with greater capacity to enable them to do more in pursuit of peace and stability on the continent.
“It is possible for Africa to provide solutions rather than just being part of the problem. For a long time, Africa has been defined and profiled as a continent of conflict, war, diseases, and poverty but we believe that that is half the story. The correct narrative is that Africa is a continent of opportunity and significantly changing the narrative is our assignment” President William Ruto remarked.
State-level agreements
Among the memoranda signed are the memorandum of understanding Between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Government of the Republic of Kenya for the Establishment of a Bi-National Commission 2024, and the memorandum of understanding for Scientific and Educational Cooperation Between the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Ghana and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kenya.
The two other memoranda signed were the memorandum of understanding between the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Training Institute (HOTCATT) Ghana and Kenya Utalii College, Kenya and the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in defence matters between the Republics of Ghana and Kenya.
Industry signings
Four other memoranda were subsequently signed during a business summit between the two countries held at the Kempinski Hotel. They are the memorandum of understanding between Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and Kenya Investment Authority (KENINVEST) 2024, and the memorandum of understanding between the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers 2024.
The third memorandum of understanding signed at Kempinski was between the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the last one was signed between the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and the Kenya School of Governance (KSG).
