Ghana has formalised key bilateral agreements with Norway on the sidelines of a high-level United Nations event in New York.
The agreements are aimed at boosting the nation’s economy, enhancing maritime security, and providing vital support to its fishing sector, Adom News journalist Ohene Amponsah reported from New York on Tuesday, September 23.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa led the delegation and represented the country in the signing ceremonies.
The first agreement, signed with Norway, focuses on the development and enhancement of Ghana’s maritime security and logistics.
Norway’s Minister for International Development, Åsmund Grøver Aukrust, signed on behalf of his country.
The deal is expected to particularly benefit Ghana’s fishing communities, who have long faced threats from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The collaboration seeks to introduce new technologies and build capacity to protect local fish stocks and ensure the sustainability of the industry.
“Norway remains a very strategic partner, and we are relying on our relations to advance those very fantastic bilateral relations. We have discussed how we can improve on security, intelligence sharing, and looking at the threat from the Sahel. Norway is working within the larger EU community,” Mr Ablakwa stated after the signing. “Don’t forget that not too long ago they helped our Ghanaian forces and national security with a $50 million donation in terms of military hardware and strategic equipment needed to bolster our defence and protect our territorial integrity.”
Following the agreement with Norway, Ghana also entered into a separate bilateral agreement with Venezuela.
While the specific terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed, a statement from the Foreign Ministry indicated that the agreement is part of a broader diplomatic effort to expand Ghana’s economic and political partnerships globally.
Sources close to the negotiation noted that the agreement with Venezuela may involve cooperation in energy or trade, reflecting both countries’ positions as key players in their respective regions.
The signing of these agreements underscores Ghana’s proactive engagement in international forums to address national challenges.
By leveraging global partnerships, the government aims to create sustainable solutions that directly impact the lives of its citizens and strengthen its position on the world stage.