Ghana and Germany have reaffirmed their long-standing partnership and agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, renewable energy, vocational training, peacekeeping, and governance.
This follows a high-level bilateral meeting between President John Dramani Mahama and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Jubilee House in Accra, held as part of President Steinmeier’s three-day state visit to Ghana.
President Mahama, in his remarks, described the visit as a significant milestone in the long and exemplary relations between the two countries, emphasizing their shared commitment to “deepening cooperation, friendship, and solidarity for the mutual benefit of our people.”
He noted that since Ghana’s independence in 1957, Germany has remained a steadfast and reliable partner, supporting Ghana’s development through technical and financial cooperation in key sectors such as health, education, renewable energy, vocational and technical training, and good governance.”
The President highlighted that the partnership has contributed immensely to Ghana’s institutional development, youth empowerment, and sustainable growth.
“During our extensive bilateral discussions this morning, President Steinmeier and I reviewed the current state of Ghana-Germany relations with great satisfaction, and we identified new and expanded pathways for our collaboration.”.
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to fostering stronger ties with Germany, anchored on “mutual respect, shared democratic values, human rights, the rule of law, and a common vision for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.”
He briefed his German counterpart on the government’s Resetting Ghana Agenda, which seeks to restore macroeconomic stability, foster inclusive growth, tackle corruption, and rebuild investor confidence.
“I reaffirmed Ghana’s strong dedication to creating an enabling environment to attract more German private sector investment, particularly within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which is headquartered here in Accra.
“The AfCFTA offers unparalleled opportunities for German and other businesses to enter a market of over 1.3 billion people across the continent, with Ghana positioned as the strategic gateway.”
President John Dramani Mahama
Stronger Collaboration
The President disclosed that both nations had identified specific opportunities for stronger collaboration in renewable energy, green industrialisation, digital transformation, and skills development.
“These sectors are crucial to Ghana’s future, and they align with global sustainability objectives,” he noted, while commending the ongoing cooperation between Ghana’s Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment and several German firms aimed at strengthening technical and vocational education for young Ghanaians.
President Mahama also expressed optimism about an upcoming Agreement on Labor Mobility between the two countries. The agreement, he said, will “enable safe, respectful, and well-structured employment opportunities for young Ghanaian professionals in Germany while addressing skills shortages in key German sectors.”
On regional peace and security, President Mahama and President Steinmeier discussed the growing threats of terrorism and political instability in the Sahel.
“I briefed the President on Ghana’s proactive diplomatic engagement to foster dialogue and rebuild trust and strengthen cooperation amongst our neighbours, including my recent appointment of a Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahelian States”.
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama also commended Germany’s support for regional peace and development and their leadership in global peacekeeping reforms, adding that Ghana looked forward to continued cooperation after Germany hosted the 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin.
Support for UN Reforms
On global governance, the Ghanaian leader reiterated his country’s stance on pushing for reforms in the UN Security Council to reflect Africa’s rightful place.
“Africa, with 54 countries and over 1.4 billion people, remains the only inhabited continent without a permanent representation on the world’s most influential decision-making body. This historical injustice must be corrected ”.
President John Dramani Mahama
He commended Germany’s consistent support for the Ezulwini Consensus, which advocates at least two permanent seats with veto power for Africa.
The President urged the international community to resist economic nationalism and instead “collaborate in reforming, not dismantling, the institutions that unite us as a globe,” noting that major global challenges like climate change, pandemics, terrorism, and poverty require collective solutions.
President Mahama concluded by describing President Steinmeier as “not just a partner but a friend who recognizes that Africa’s development is crucial to global peace and prosperity.”
He thanked Germany for its enduring friendship and solidarity with Ghana and Africa, wishing President Steinmeier and his delegation safe travels as they continue their engagements in Accra and the Ashanti Region.
President Steinmeier’s Response
In his response, President Steinmeier expressed delight at returning to Ghana, calling it “a lively democracy, the third largest economy in West Africa, and an important regional mediator.”
He recalled his previous visits to Ghana and described the relationship between the two nations as “a longstanding close partnership and friendship reaching back to the day Ghana became independent.”
The German President announced that, pending parliamentary approval, Germany will commit more than €65 million (approximately GH₵823 million) to Ghana as part of its ongoing development cooperation. He said the funding would focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy expansion, and vocational training.
“We are also very active when it comes to educating and training the young generation. Be they employed in the health sector, the pharmaceutical industry, or the digital economy, we want to provide decent jobs for them.”
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
He disclosed plans to establish regular political consultations between Ghana and Germany at senior levels, covering bilateral, regional, and global matters of mutual concern.
On trade, he noted that the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries rose by over 25 percent last year to €626 million (about GH₵8.3 billion), adding that Ghana is “an important trading partner for Germany in sub-Saharan Africa.”
Ghana as an Attractive Location
President Steinmeier praised Ghana as “a very attractive location for many German companies,” citing the country’s skilled workforce, English proficiency, and favorable time zone as advantages that make Ghana “an ideal partner.”
He announced that his delegation included representatives from key sectors such as infrastructure development, satellite technology, and medical research.
He also commended Ghana’s educated workforce and stable business environment, calling the country “a very attractive location for companies and a hub for the region.”
The President highlighted ongoing German support for education and research in Ghana, including cooperation with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine.
“Roughly 1,500 young Ghanaian students, doctoral students, and scientists benefited from our academic exchange programme last year,” Steinmeier said, commending the enthusiasm of Ghanaian youth for opportunities in Germany.
On regional cooperation, he praised Ghana’s leadership role in promoting peace and stability in West Africa and reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s efforts to counter terrorism and climate-related challenges.
Steinmeier ended his remarks by reaffirming Germany’s support for multilateralism and UN reform, saying, “Germany supports the Etsulwini Consensus and the demand for two permanent and further non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council for African countries.” He emphasized that both nations share a “common vision for a just, peaceful, and rules-based international order.”
Concluding his remarks, President Steinmeier expressed confidence that both nations would continue to “tap into the full potential of their relations” and pledged continued friendship and cooperation.
The visit, marked by bilateral agreements and mutual pledges, reinforces Ghana and Germany’s shared goal of building a sustainable, secure, and prosperous partnership anchored in equality and shared progress.
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