Ghana's Foreign Minister Holds High-Level Talks with Rwanda, Maldives, and Venezuela

Antalya, Turkey - 14 April, 2025 - Ghana's Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has concluded a series of mutually beneficial bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Rwanda, the Maldives, and Venezuela on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey.

The discussions centered around deepening cooperation in various areas, including trade, energy, climate, tourism, and UN reforms.

The meeting with Venezuela's Foreign Minister, Yvan Gil Pinto, is particularly significant given the existing diplomatic ties between Ghana and Venezuela. In 2018, both countries signed a bilateral travel visa agreement, allowing diplomatic and service passport holders to travel visa-free.

                Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa with Venezuela's Foreign Minister, Yvan Gil Pinto

This agreement is expected to boost south-south cooperation, particularly in Ghana's developing oil sector, where Venezuela has offered technical assistance.

Ghana's relations with the Maldives, though not extensively documented, appear to be budding, with discussions likely focusing on enhancing economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

      Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, the Maldives' Foreign Minister with Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, the Maldives' Foreign Minister, engaged in fruitful talks with Minister Ablakwa, underscoring the potential for growth in bilateral ties.

Rwanda's Foreign Minister, Olivier J. P. Nduhungirehe with Ghana's Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

The discussions with Rwanda's Foreign Minister, Olivier J. P. Nduhungirehe, likely centered around strengthening regional ties and cooperation within the African continent.

The meetings reflect Ghana's commitment to its foreign policy creed of being "friends of all and enemies to none." Ghana's diplomatic approach emphasizes non-alignment, Pan-Africanism, and regional cooperation, as outlined in its foreign policy principles. This stance enables Ghana to maintain friendly relations and cooperation with countries that share common interests.

Minister Ablakwa expressed gratitude to his counterparts for the productive discussions, paving the way for enhanced collaboration between Ghana and these nations. These diplomatic engagements are expected to yield positive outcomes for Ghana's economic and social development.

Source: Lead News Online