President John Dramani Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama on Friday afternoon concluded a three-day state visit to Zambia, marking a renewed chapter in Ghana-Zambia relations with the signing of 10 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) spanning diplomacy, trade, defence, health and aviation.
The presidential couple departed Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport after a warm farewell by their host, President Hakainde Hichilema, and First Lady Mutinta Hichilema, bringing to a close what both sides described as a highly productive engagement.
At the heart of the visit was the formal signing of the 10 MoUs at the Zambian State House on the second day of President Mahama’s trip.
The agreements, signed by Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa, and Zambia’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Rodney Siumba, alongside other sector ministers, reflect a broadening of cooperation between the two African nations.
Among the most notable agreements was a visa waiver arrangement covering holders of diplomatic, official/service and ordinary passports — a move expected to ease travel, boost tourism, and facilitate business exchanges between Accra and Lusaka.
The two countries also signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement to pave the way for direct flights between Accra and Lusaka, a longstanding ambition aimed at strengthening connectivity, trade and people-to-people relations.
Other agreements covered diaspora cooperation, disaster risk management, military defence collaboration, health cooperation, and regulatory alignment between Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority and the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority.
In the area of trade and standards, memoranda were signed between the Ghana Export Promotion Authority and the Zambia Development Agency, as well as between the Ghana Standards Authority and the Zambia Bureau of Standards to enhance cooperation in standardisation, conformity assessment and training.
The addendum to the existing military defence MoU signals continued collaboration in security matters, while the health agreement underscores a shared commitment to strengthening public health systems.
High-level bilateral engagements
President Mahama and President Hichilema held bilateral talks that culminated in the signing of the agreements, with both leaders emphasising the importance of actionable partnerships and deeper economic integration.
The two presidents later jointly addressed the Ghana-Zambia Business Dialogue, where they called for increased investment flows, enhanced private sector collaboration and the strategic use of digital platforms to drive economic growth in both countries.
They encouraged businesses on both sides to take advantage of the improved regulatory and aviation frameworks to scale up trade in agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and services.
President Mahama also addressed the Zambian National Assembly — a significant diplomatic honour typically reserved for heads of state and distinguished leaders.
His address underscored the historical bonds between Ghana and Zambia and called for renewed Pan-African cooperation in tackling economic and developmental challenges.
In a symbolic gesture reflecting shared history, President Mahama laid a wreath at the tomb of Zambia’s Founding President, Dr Kenneth David Kaunda, in recognition of his immense contributions to Africa’s liberation struggle and regional solidarity.
Engagement with Ghanaian community
During the visit, President Mahama held a meeting with members of the Ghanaian community resident in Lusaka.
He briefed them on developments back home, highlighting what he described as key achievements over the past year of his administration.
Among these, he cited the appreciation of the Ghana cedi against major international currencies, including the US dollar, and ongoing efforts toward constitutional review reforms.
The engagement offered the diaspora an opportunity to interact directly with the President and discuss national development issues, further reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to involving its citizens abroad in the country’s progress.
Cultural diplomacy takes centre stage
Beyond policy and diplomacy, the visit sparked lively cultural conversations — particularly among young Ghanaians and Zambians on social media — over the traditional smock (Fugu) worn by President Mahama upon his arrival in Lusaka.
The attire quickly became a talking point online, celebrated by many as a proud display of Ghanaian heritage on the international stage.
During the Ghana-Zambia Business Dialogue, President Hichilema publicly admired the Fugu, describing it as beautiful and expressing interest in acquiring some from Ghana. In a gesture of goodwill, President Mahama later presented his host with a Ghanaian Fugu.
The cultural exchange was reciprocated with a gift reflecting Zambia’s agricultural strength. President Hichilema, a farmer like his Ghanaian counterpart, presented President Mahama with one tonne of maize seeds — symbolising agricultural cooperation and shared economic priorities.
First ladies strengthen cross-border sisterhood
First Lady Lordina Mahama also held an engaging meeting with Zambia’s First Lady, Mutinta Hichilema.
The two women underscored the importance of collaboration in social development initiatives and demonstrated what observers described as cross-border sisterhood.
Their interaction complemented the broader diplomatic agenda, highlighting the role of soft diplomacy and people-centred engagement in strengthening bilateral ties.
A renewed partnership
The successful conclusion of the visit and the signing of the 10 MoUs signal a revitalised partnership between Ghana and Zambia, rooted in shared history and forward-looking economic ambition.
With new frameworks in place for visa-free travel, direct air connectivity, defence cooperation, health collaboration and trade facilitation, both countries appear poised to translate diplomatic goodwill into tangible economic outcomes.
As President Mahama returned to Accra, the outcomes of the Lusaka visit — from policy agreements to symbolic cultural exchanges — underscored a shared commitment by Ghana and Zambia to deepen cooperation and advance their common development agenda within the broader African context.
