In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Ghana-UAE relations received a boost this week as Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, concluded a successful two-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Invited by the Emirati government, the minister’s visit aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and attract investment into Ghana’s strategic sectors.
According to Hon. Ablakwa, one of the most significant outcomes of the visit was the signing of an agreement to initiate “the first-ever high-level political consultations” between the two nations.
This agreement, he emphasized, is a step forward in deepening cooperation and mutual development efforts.
“I was warmly received by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, who also serves as Minister for Foreign Affairs.
“I further held constructive meetings with my good brother, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, my dear sister Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs, the ministers of Foreign Trade, Investment, and captains of industry.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
According to him, these high-level meetings were strategically designed to foster partnerships that directly support Ghana’s long-term national development goals.
He emphasized that each engagement was carefully aligned with key policy areas—including economic revitalization, technology advancement, and infrastructure growth—ensuring that the outcomes would contribute meaningfully to the country’s broader vision for progress and prosperity.
Job Creation, New National Airline on Agenda
During his official visit, Hon. Ablakwa underscored two critical priorities central to President Mahama’s administration: facilitating the export of skilled Ghanaian labour to the UAE and laying the groundwork for the creation of a new national airline.
These initiatives, he noted, are not only pivotal to tackling unemployment but also to enhancing Ghana’s economic competitiveness on the global stage.
Both focus areas received in-depth attention throughout the bilateral discussions, with the UAE expressing strong interest in collaborating on structured labour migration frameworks and offering technical assistance for the airline project.
“Massive job openings in the UAE will soon be announced for the Ghanaian youth when we finalize our CEPA negotiations shortly. Both sides [Ghana and the UAE] confirmed that the bilateral engagements on Sunday and Monday have not only been exceptionally successful but historic.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
This development is expected to ease Ghana’s unemployment burden while offering young Ghanaians opportunities abroad in a safe and regulated environment.
The topic of launching a new national airline also formed a central part of the talks.
The UAE, renowned for its aviation industry, expressed interest in offering technical support and investment toward Ghana’s ambition to reestablish a national carrier. This could mark a transformative chapter in Ghana’s aviation sector.
In line with President Mahama’s economic revitalization message that “Ghana is open for business again,” Hon. Ablakwa confirmed that several UAE companies have pledged to invest in Ghana over the coming weeks.
These investments are expected to target sectors such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence, education, healthcare, aviation, and defense—each chosen to support long-term growth and sustainable development.
Foreign Policy Gains Momentum
The minister took time to acknowledge the behind-the-scenes work that contributed to the success of the diplomatic mission.
“I thank our diplomats at the Foreign Ministry and members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament for the collective accomplishments,” he stated, recognizing the efforts of Ghana’s foreign service personnel in making the visit fruitful.
Hon. Ablakwa described the engagements in the UAE as not only productive but also historic in their scope and significance.
He added that the bilateral meetings held on Sunday and Monday between the Ghanaian and Emirati delegations were “exceptionally successful.”
The visit signals a new phase in Ghana-UAE relations, one that places strategic cooperation at the forefront of economic and political decision-making.
With trade, labor, and aviation discussions now underway, observers say this partnership could soon translate into tangible benefits for Ghanaians across multiple sectors.
As Ghana continues to rebuild its foreign policy influence under President Mahama’s administration, partnerships like the one with the UAE serve as evidence of renewed global engagement.
The Foreign Minister’s trip underscores a growing determination to integrate Ghana more fully into international economic and diplomatic networks.
From potential job creation for Ghana’s youth to foreign direct investment and infrastructure development, the Ghana-UAE engagement stands as a model of what strategic diplomacy can achieve. As Hon. Ablakwa concluded, “Long live our irrepressible Ghana UAE 🇦🇪 bilateral relations.”
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