President John Dramani Mahama says Ghana and Zambia’s decision to allow visa-free travel between their citizens is “more than diplomatic instruments,” describing it as a statement of trust and shared African identity.
Speaking at a state banquet held in his honour by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema in Lusaka, Mahama said the agreement sends a clear message to the people of both countries.
“The agreements we signed today, especially the decision to allow visa-free travel between our two countries, are more than diplomatic instruments. They are statements of trust, and they say to our people, you belong with one another,” he said.
Mahama said his visit had reaffirmed the deep historical ties between the two countries, rooted in the Pan-African vision of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and Zambia’s founding President, Kenneth Kaunda.
“Our founding fathers, Kwame Nkrumah and Kenneth Kaunda, dreamed boldly of an Africa that stood united, confident, and free to chart its own course,” he noted.
He also highlighted similarities in the economic challenges facing both nations, pointing to mining as a major contributor to their economies.
“Ghana and Zambia seem to be twins of the same mother, going through the same economic and financial challenges, having the same structure of the economy, mining playing a very important part in terms of value to our gross domestic product,” he said.
Mahama said discussions with President Hichilema led to a proposal for an enhanced economic cooperation partnership that goes beyond the existing joint commission framework.
“We proposed to have an enhanced economic development cooperation partnership agreement that will be higher than just the permanent joint commission for cooperation,” he stated, adding that the two sides had agreed on immediate steps to be taken after his return to Ghana.
Mahama also thanked Zambians for the hospitality shown to Ghanaians living in the country, saying many have integrated through intermarriage and shared community life.
