Ghana and Vietnam have held its first inaugural edition of their Political Consultations, bringing together senior officials from both countries to review bilateral relations and identify new areas of cooperation, in a meeting that concluded with the signing of a visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders.
The consultations, hosted by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs at its headquarters in Accra, marked the first formal dialogue under a newly established mechanism intended to institutionalise regular engagement between the two countries.
Ghana’s delegation was led by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson, while Vietnam’s delegation was led by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Lê Anh Tuấn. Their presence at the head of each delegation signalled the significance both governments attached to the maiden dialogue.
Quayson opened proceedings by welcoming his counterpart and the entire Vietnamese delegation, describing the gathering as an important milestone in relations between the two countries.
“The inaugural Political Consultations represent an important milestone in the relations between Ghana and Viet Nam and provide a structured platform to deepen cooperation and strengthen mutual understanding.”
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson,
Quayson noted that the talks coincided with the 60th anniversary of a historic peace mission undertaken by Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, to Vietnam, framing the anniversary as a lasting symbol of Ghana’s commitment to peace, solidarity and international cooperation.
The timing appeared to lend added symbolic weight to the launch of the Political Consultation mechanism, which Ghana’s Deputy Foreign Minister said would strengthen mutual understanding and provide a structured platform for both countries to exchange perspectives on regional and global developments.
Ghana Eyes New Areas of Economic Cooperation
Beyond reviewing existing ties, Quayson used the platform to signal Ghana’s interest in expanding cooperation into new sectors. He pointed to Vietnam’s economic transformation as a model worth learning from, expressing Ghana’s interest in strengthening cooperation in priority areas including agribusiness, manufacturing, digital innovation, renewable energy, infrastructure development, tourism, investment promotion, skills development and technology transfer.
He further stressed the value of continued collaboration within multilateral platforms, particularly in promoting international peace, sustainable development and the interests of developing countries.
Vietnam Reaffirms Commitment to Ghana Partnership
For his part, Lê Anh Tuấn thanked Ghana for its hospitality and described the consultations as a significant step in deepening the longstanding friendship between the two nations. He also used the occasion to address recent events affecting Ghana, extending sympathy over recent losses linked to flooding across the country.
“Vietnam extends its condolences to the Government and people of Ghana following the recent loss of lives caused by flooding.”
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Lê Anh Tuấn.
Tuấn said, striking a personal note before turning to matters of bilateral cooperation.
The Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister commended Ghana for its achievements in economic diversification, its progress in improving living standards, and its leadership role in advancing regional integration across Africa.
Tuấn highlighted the steady growth in commercial ties between the two countries, revealing that trade between Ghana and Vietnam surpassed $1 billion in 2025, making Ghana Vietnam’s fourth-largest trading partner in Africa.
“Ghana remains an important partner for Vietnam in West Africa, and we are ready to deepen cooperation through government-to-government, parliamentary and people to people exchanges.”
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Lê Anh Tuấn.
He added that closer collaboration between the two nations would help address shared global challenges, while enhancing the standing of both countries in regional and international affairs.
Tuấn also reaffirmed Vietnam’s foreign policy approach, describing it as one anchored on peace, friendship, cooperation, multilateralism and diversification of international relations, a framework he said aligns closely with Ghana’s own diplomatic priorities.
Visa Exemption Agreement Marks Concrete Outcome
Talks between the two delegations touched on a wide range of issues, from political cooperation and high-level visits to economic, trade, investment and technical cooperation, alongside broader regional and multilateral concerns. Both sides used the discussions to reaffirm their commitment to expanding engagement across areas of shared interest.
The consultations concluded with a concrete outcome: the signing of an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic, official and service passports.
Officials say the agreement is expected to facilitate official exchanges, strengthen institutional cooperation and further deepen the longstanding friendship between Ghana and Vietnam, marking a tangible step forward from a dialogue otherwise centred on symbolic milestones and future intentions.
With the Political Consultation mechanism now formally launched, both countries appear positioned to institutionalise regular dialogue going forward, rather than relying on periodic, ad hoc engagement. Attention now turns to how quickly both governments move to act on the priority areas identified during the talks, from renewable energy and digital innovation to skills development, as the two countries chart the next phase of their bilateral relationship.
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