Ghana and Canada have signed a Letter of Intent to deepen bilateral relations, with both countries identifying priority areas spanning trade, infrastructure, education, energy, security and artificial intelligence during an official visit by Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to Ottawa.
The agreement followed a bilateral meeting between Hon Ablakwa and Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, where the two sides discussed expanding economic cooperation, strengthening regional security and advancing shared priorities in international affairs.
The engagement also included plans to commence negotiations on a defence agreement and explore structured labour mobility pathways and increased scholarship opportunities.
“We signed a Letter of Intent in Ottawa, demonstrating the renewed commitment to deepening and expanding our longstanding excellent relations”
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Ghana, Canada Identify Priority Areas for Cooperation
In a statement following the meeting, Hon Ablakwa said the Letter of Intent sets out mutually agreed areas of cooperation intended to strengthen the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
The identified priorities include aviation, railway development, trade facilitation, education, agribusiness, value addition, mining, counterterrorism, renewable energy and artificial intelligence.
The two countries also agreed to commence negotiations towards a defence agreement, signalling an intention to explore closer cooperation in defence and security. According to Hon Ablakwa, the discussions were substantive and focused on identifying practical opportunities to expand collaboration across sectors of mutual interest.
The proposed areas of cooperation reflect a broad agenda that combines infrastructure and economic development with technological advancement and security.
However, the Letter of Intent sets out the parties’ shared priorities; the statements did not provide implementation timelines, funding commitments, or details of specific projects to be undertaken under the arrangement.
Labour Mobility and Scholarships on Agenda
Beyond economic and security cooperation, Ghana and Canada are exploring structured labour mobility pathways and increased scholarship opportunities. Hon Ablakwa disclosed that both sides had discussed ways to expand opportunities for people in Ghana to access education and employment-related pathways in Canada.
The proposals form part of efforts to broaden the relationship beyond traditional diplomatic and commercial engagement. Further details on the proposed labour mobility arrangements, eligible sectors, scholarship numbers and implementation dates were not provided in the statements.
Education and labour mobility featured alongside agribusiness, value addition and trade facilitation among the priority areas outlined in the Letter of Intent. The discussions could provide a framework for further engagement between the two governments as they work to identify practical arrangements that serve their respective interests.
Regional Security and Global Challenges Discussed
The ministers also discussed regional and international security concerns, including the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, instability in Haiti and violent extremism in the Sahel.
Hon Ablakwa said both countries agreed on the need for closer cooperation in responding to these challenges, highlighting security and humanitarian issues as important elements of their broader partnership.
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Her Excellency Anita Anand also recognised Ghana’s role in promoting stability in West Africa and highlighted the countries’ longstanding collaboration on peacekeeping.
In her statement following the meeting, HE Anand described Ghana as “a leading voice for stability in West Africa and an increasingly important economic partner.” She said the discussions covered Ghana’s regional security leadership, cooperation on peacekeeping and the two countries’ shared commitment to multilateralism.
The ministers also discussed cooperation on United Nations reforms, climate justice and the reconfiguration of the global financial architecture, as Ghana prepares to chair the African Union. These discussions reflect the two countries’ stated intention to coordinate more closely on international issues and multilateral priorities.
Trade and Investment Central to Canada’s Africa Strategy
Her Excellency Anand said expanding trade and investment presented new opportunities for Canada as it advances its Africa Strategy and approaches 70 years of diplomatic relations with Ghana.
She welcomed Hon Ablakwa and his delegation to Ottawa, describing the meeting as an opportunity to strengthen economic cooperation and build on the existing relationship. Hon Ablakwa, meanwhile, said Ghana and Canada could become stronger allies under President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Agenda and Canada’s Strategic Plan for Africa.
He noted that Canada’s Africa strategy was launched on March 6, Ghana’s Independence Day, in the previous year, describing the timing as a notable connection between the two countries.
The proposed cooperation on trade facilitation, mining, agribusiness, railway development and value addition offers several areas for further economic engagement. The statements, however, did not disclose specific trade targets, investment commitments or the value of prospective projects.
Historic Ties and Continued Engagement
Hon Ablakwa also thanked Canada for hosting Ghana’s senior national football team, the Black Stars, and Ghanaian supporters during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He referenced the historical ties between the two countries, noting that relations extended back to the establishment of a church in Navrongo by missionaries from Quebec 120 years ago.
The latest engagement builds on this history as both governments seek to broaden cooperation across economic, educational, security and diplomatic areas. With the signing of the Letter of Intent, Ghana and Canada have outlined a renewed framework for cooperation.
The next stage will involve translating the identified priorities into negotiations, programmes and practical initiatives that advance the interests shared by both countries.
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