President William Ruto Arrives in Ghana for State Visit
Kenyan President William Ruto's Diplomatic Mission to Ghana: Strengthening Regional Ties and Economic PartnershipsG
President William Ruto has arrived for an official state visit to Ghana, on Tuesday (April 2, 2024) for a three-day state visit.
He arrived at Kotoka International Airport, where he was warmly received by Ghana’s Vice-President, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, marks the commencement of crucial diplomatic discussions.
During his stay in Accra, President Ruto is slated to visit the headquarters of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, underscoring the importance of regional economic collaboration and trade partnerships.
This visit holds promise for bolstering bilateral relations between Kenya and Ghana, fostering cooperation across various sectors, and advancing mutual objectives for regional development.
According to a statement from State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, Ruto is scheduled to hold discussions with Presidents Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, with the aim of enhancing diplomatic ties and trade cooperation between Kenya and the two West African nations.
In Ghana, Ruto will emphasize the significance of collaborative endeavors in strengthening democratic governance in Africa. Additionally, he will focus on promoting Kenyan exports, particularly tea and leather, to Ghana.
Ruto will also address the Ghana-Kenya Business Forum to explore investment and trade opportunities across various sectors.
Dr. Ruto who is also the African Union Champion for Institutional Reform and Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change, will advocate for transforming the African Union into a leading force for continental unity and economic revitalization, while engaging with other regions worldwide.
Discussions with President Akufo-Addo will include topics such as the climate crisis and Ghana’s support for implementing the African Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change, particularly the Africa Green Industrial Initiative (AGII), aimed at promoting green industries and businesses across the continent.
In September 2022, Kenya dispatched its inaugural shipment of domestically produced batteries to Ghana, as part of its participation in the pilot phase of the continental free trade area, aimed at streamlining the flow of goods and services across Africa.
Data from the United Nations COMTRADE database reveals that Kenya’s exports to Ghana totaled $10.3 million in 2021. Notable exports from Ghana to Kenya during the same period encompassed cocoa powder, rubber, and various live plants, cuttings, and slips, along with mushroom spawn.
In Guinea-Bissau, President Ruto aims to strengthen trade relations and explore new avenues for cooperation with Lusophone Africa under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. This includes enhancing private sector involvement in agriculture, manufacturing, and technology transfer, among other sectors.