The President, Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister of Malta recently met with Ghana’s Foreign Minister and candidate for Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, in Valetta. During the meeting, the Maltese officials expressed their satisfaction with their country’s relations with Ghana.
Ghana currently hosts Malta’s only diplomatic mission in sub-Saharan Africa, which was inaugurated in January 2023. Foreign Minister Ian Borg highlighted the importance of Ghana as a partner, stating that 24 Maltese companies are successfully conducting business in Ghana without any complaints.
Last year, Mr. Borg led a delegation of 45, mostly investors, to open the High Commission of Malta in Accra. On the other hand, Ghana’s High Commission in Malta, established in 2014, is the only fully-fledged sub-Saharan diplomatic mission in Valetta.
During her meetings with Maltese officials, Ms. Botchwey emphasized the significance of trade and investment over aid, stressing the need to create opportunities for young people in Africa to prevent illegal migration.
Ms. Botchwey, a seasoned legislator in Ghana, prioritizes trade, investment, skills training, and startups for youth across the Commonwealth. She believes that the Commonwealth, with a population of 2.6 billion, has the potential to make a significant impact on global issues.
Both Ms. Botchwey and Prime Minister Abela agreed on the importance of discussing Ghana and Africa in terms of trade rather than aid. They emphasized the need to focus on mutual opportunities to foster economic growth and development.
The discussions also touched on the threat posed by climate change to small island states like Malta, Pacific, and Caribbean countries. Ms. Botchwey stressed the need for the Commonwealth to mobilize collective action to support vulnerable states in building resilience against climate change.
Overall, the bilateral relations between Ghana and Malta have witnessed several state visits in recent years, demonstrating a commitment to strengthening ties and fostering mutual cooperation.
