Kenyan President Dr. William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto has praised Ghana’s democracy as a beacon of hope and an inspiration to many countries, particularly in the context of the emergence of unconstitutional governments.
During his three-day state visit to Ghana, President Ruto highlighted Ghana’s democracy, noting the near-equal representation of Members of Parliament for both the Minority and Majority, which he saw as a testament to the maturity and entrenchment of Ghana’s democracy.
This visit was part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral relations and economic integration between Kenya and Ghana, as evidenced by the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and the establishment of a bi-national commission to deepen ties and promote African economic integration.
“Ghana and Kenya have strong and historic ties going back to the pre-independence period when our founding fathers fought for freedom against colonial rule so that our two nations could determine their destiny. Since then, our partnership has grown in many respects and our two governments and peoples collaborate in many fields, including business, trade, and tourism.”
Dr. William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto, Kenyan President
President Ruto also expressed Kenya’s support for Ghana’s bid to secure the position of Secretary General of the Commonwealth and solicited Ghana’s support for Kenya’s candidature for the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
The talks between the two leaders focused on enhancing cooperation and support for each other on international platforms, including the United Nations, the African Union, and the Commonwealth. They discussed the importance of boosting domestic and foreign investment in both nations and the need for improved cooperation and participation in development activities.
“It has become clear in our discussions that we have to redouble our efforts to silence the guns in Africa as a vital condition for the establishment of economic growth. We also have no choice but to endow the African Union and our Regional Economic Communities with greater capacity to do more in pursuit of peace and stability.”
Dr. William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto, Kenyan President
Commitment Towards AFCTA
Furthermore, President Ruto commended Ghana for its role as the home of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, leading economic integration and development on the continent. He noted Ghana’s efforts to remove entry fees for all Africans by December and Kenya’s removal of visa requirements for visitors from all African countries from January 1, aligning with the goals of the AfCFTA to create a single market and drive economic growth.
President Ruto also praised Ghana’s championing of African Union institutions, such as the Africa Central Bank, the Africa International Monetary Fund, the Africa Investment Bank, and the Pan African Stock Exchange, as mechanisms for consolidating the economic and financial situation on the continent.
“The free movement of people between our two countries has contributed immensely to trade, investment and tourism. In this respect, His Excellency and I noted that trade between Kenya and Ghana is growing. In 2022, Kenya’s exports to Ghana were valued at $10.4 million, and imports were valued at $4.8 million. We have agreed that there remains great potential to enhance trade between our countries, especially with the numerous opportunities arising from the establishment of the AfCFTA.”
Dr. William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto, Kenyan President
This emphasis on economic growth and development is part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral relations and mutual support between Ghana and Kenya. The discussions also covered potential areas of collaboration across various sectors, including education, trade and industry, agriculture, tourism, defense cooperation, immigration, environment, science and technology, petroleum and hydrocarbon development, and security.
The talks underscored the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in fostering economic integration and development across the continent. President Akufo-Addo thanked Kenya for its support in Ghana’s bid to host the AfCFTA Secretariat, recognizing the transformative potential of the AfCFTA in improving the economic circumstances of African countries.
The involvement of Ghana, Kenya, and six other countries in the AfCFTA’s Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) was highlighted as a key driver for boosting intra-African trade and strengthening the continent’s competitive advantage in the global market.
Moreover, the discussions between the two leaders were marked by mutual respect, cooperation, and a shared commitment to advancing the interests of their countries and the African continent. This included advocating common positions on issues such as climate change and sustainable development, as well as fostering deeper understanding and support for each other on international platforms, including the United Nations, the African Union, and the Commonwealth.
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