President John Dramani Mahama has outlined the potential benefits of Ghana’s bilateral engagements with Singapore, Canada and St Lucia, identifying investment, development financing and skilled professional recruitment as key areas of cooperation.
Mahama explained that the meetings reviewed earlier commitments and opened avenues for cooperation, but some processes would require follow-up after the delegation’s return. These include discussions with Canada’s ambassador on funding access and background checks for teachers being considered for deployment to the Caribbean.
“And so, we agreed that when we come, we’ll follow up with the Ambassador here and see how we can access the funding that is available in those areas.”
President John Dramani Maham
Mahama disclosed that he met Singapore’s Prime Minister to review issues raised during an earlier visit.
He noted that Ghana hosts about 150 Singaporean businesses, with Olam among the most prominent. The figure underscored the existing commercial presence that informed the discussions and the importance of tracking commitments made during earlier engagements.
The talks also returned to plans for a pasta manufacturing facility, particularly a spaghetti factory, which had featured in previous discussions.
According to the President, the Singaporean Prime Minister welcomed the update that the factory had since opened. Mahama stated that he personally commissioned the facility, describing the meeting as an opportunity to review developments in relations between the two countries.
Canada Funding Talks Require Further Follow-Up
The President also met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss support Ghana could access through Canada’s funding facilities.
Mahama identified digital technology, agriculture and agri-tech, and vocational education and training among the areas covered. The discussions focused on the funding facilities available in these fields and the possibility of securing support for Ghana.
The two leaders agreed that the next stage would involve engagement with Canada’s ambassador in Ghana. Mahama indicated that the government would follow up after returning from the visits to establish how the country could access the available financing.
Mahama further disclosed that he met the Prime Minister of St Lucia, whose government expressed interest in recruiting more health professionals from Ghana.
Ghanaian nurses and other health workers already serve in Barbados and Antigua. The delegation had also met about 120 professionals who recently travelled to the region.
St Lucia had communicated a similar need for Ghanaian health personnel. The request formed part of the broader discussions on the movement of skilled Ghanaian professionals to Caribbean countries. Mahama did not disclose a recruitment target or departure schedule for workers to the island.
Teacher Deployment Depends on Background Checks
St Lucia has also expressed interest in recruiting Ghanaian teachers, particularly in science, mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology.
Mahama disclosed that a batch of teachers was undergoing review for possible deployment to the Caribbean. The prospective deployment covers subject areas identified by St Lucia as needed within its education system.
He stressed that the selection process must examine applicants’ character and background because they would be responsible for teaching and interacting with young people.
The President explained that background checks and other assessments were ongoing. He maintained that the teachers would travel after the process had been completed, without providing a specific deployment date.
Mahama Says Bilateral Engagements Could Benefit Ghana
Mahama noted that the delegation held several other bilateral meetings during the visits, describing the engagements as relevant to Ghana’s interests.
“I think that all of them were relevant. And I’m sure that they would inure to the benefits of our country,”
President John Dramani Maham
While Singapore reviewed progress on an existing investment, Canada requires further consultations on funding access, and St Lucia’s requests depend on recruitment and vetting processes.
He gave no firm date for when Ghana should expect measurable results. His response outlined immediate follow-up actions rather than a schedule for completed agreements or investments.
The next steps include discussions with Canada’s ambassador and completion of assessments for teachers being considered for Caribbean deployment, before those next steps are completed.
READ MORE: Pure Earth Warns of Lead Exposure Risks to Ghanaian Children
