The relationship between Ghana and Ukraine has taken a significant step forward with the official opening of the Embassy of Ukraine in Accra.
This move strengthens the long-standing diplomatic and bilateral ties between the two countries, which date back to August 1992, shortly after Ukraine gained independence.
The historical connection between Ghana and Ukraine can be traced back to the visits of the first president of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, to Ukraine when it was part of the former USSR. Over the years, the focus of the bilateral relations has been on political cooperation, fostering mutual understanding, and collaboration.
A key milestone in this relationship was the working visit to Ghana by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Mr Dmytro Kuleba, in October 2022. During this visit, agreements were signed on diplomatic staff training, cooperation between exporters and investors, and avenues for collaboration in education, defense, agriculture, trade, and multilateral matters.
Before the full-scale military aggression in Ukraine in February 2022, the trade volume between Ukraine and Ghana had surpassed $300 million. The opening of the Ukrainian Embassy in Ghana will serve various functions, including developing political contacts, enhancing economic and people-to-people ties, and providing consular services to Ukrainians and Ghanaians.
Dr Maksym Subh, the Special Envoy of Ukraine to the Middle East and Africa, emphasized the commitment to developing bilateral contacts at all levels between Ukraine and Ghana during the Embassy’s commissioning. The ceremony, which was attended by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, highlighted the strong bond between the two nations.
Mr Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, expressed Ghana’s continuous support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, citing its participation in UN General Assembly Resolutions condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Despite challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Ghana remains dedicated to exploring avenues for enhancing bilateral relations once stability is restored in the region.
Both countries have shown promising signs of economic collaboration, with Ghana exporting commodities such as manganese, aluminum ore, and cocoa powder to Ukraine, while Ukraine has supplied Ghana with various iron products. The potential for further expansion and diversification in economic cooperation remains significant, with Ukraine manufacturers ready to offer high-quality goods and services at competitive costs.
