The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ghana, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has held a top-level meeting with Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Economy, Environmental and Agriculture, Mr. Denys Bashlyk, on strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries, notably in the area of agriculture.
The meeting was centered around analyzing progress that has been made under the already existing cooperation between the two countries and to further outline new avenues to promote collaboration in sectors such as food production, technology transfer, and agribusiness development.
The collaboration is expected to outline ways of improving food security in Ghana, as well as provide avenues for sharing technological knowledge, which will impact the agricultural output in Ghana.
Ghana foresees a boost in the agricultural sector with this partnership and also deepening the bond with Ukraine in other sectors as well. Ablakwa asserted that Ghana remains open to strategic cooperations that correspond with the country’s long-term vision of revamping the agricultural sector into a main factor of economic growth and food security. He noted that agriculture continues to be the bedrock of Ghana’s developmental plan.
The sector employs a significant number of people who ultimately contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of the country. He further explained that the government has taken pragmatic steps in upgrading the agricultural sector by inculcating irrigation methods, mechanization, improved seed distribution, and financial resources for farmers.
This will result in boosting the country’s agribusiness sector, which will reflect in the processing, storing, and exporting of agricultural products. The collaboration will see to knowledge sharing and funding support for the agricultural sector. Ghana is set to benefit directly through investment from Ukraine in the agricultural sector.
Ghana Set To Become An Agrarian Hub
Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa reiterated Ghana’s willingness to ensure that adequate measures will be put in place to promote investor confidence. He said the country will serve as a conducive environment for people who have the desire to invest in the economy.
He went on to further communicate Ghana’s readiness to invest in the agricultural sector to become an agrarian hub. Ghana, he believes, is on a fast track to transform into a leading agribusiness hub in Africa.
He therefore called for the need for effective collaboration and investments in storage of agricultural produce, processing avenues, and access to superior seeds. He seized the opportunity to express his gratitude to the President of Ukraine, His Excellency Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for granting him an audience and consenting to the release of the two Ghanian prisoners of war during his earlier visit to Ukraine.
Mr. Bashlyk also responded affirmatively and affirmed Ukraine’s interest in backing Ghana and supporting investment across the agricultural sectors.
Bashlyk Calls For Private Sector Engagements
Bashlyk communicated the need for the private sectors in both countries to collaborate, and he reiterated will help to deepen the bond of friendship between Ghana and Ukraine.
Ghana shares a strong bilateral tie with Ukraine, which is being strengthened of late in the area of drone technology, humanitarian interventions, and food security. Mr. Bashlyk expressed the intent of the government of Ukraine to establish research centers and also enhance the transfer of technology through collaboration between universities from both countries.
This bilateral agreement seeks to mutually benefit the two countries under the “Food from Ukraine” and “Feed Ghana” initiatives put in place by both countries. Mr. Bashlyk, on behalf of Ukraine, pledged support to boost Ghana’s agricultural sector by distributing seeds to farmers, and said plans are underway to explore the avenue of setting up a wheat processing factory in Ghana.
Hon. Ablakwa spoke on the need for strategic and impactful partners like Ukraine for sustainable development. He believes Ukraine’s interventions will go a long way to promote modernized farming methods and strengthen the agricultural value chain. This signifies a deeper diplomatic tie between the two countries.
