Ghana and Angola as part of efforts to strengthen and deepen their bond of friendship, cooperation and solidarity have held the 6th Session of the Ghana-Angola Bilateral Commission for Cooperation (BCC). The BCC was held in Luanda, Angola on 19th February, 2024.
The meeting discussed actions and projects to be developed in key sectors of common interest such as Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Commerce and Trade, Transport, Health, Oil and Gas, Tourism, Art and Culture, Media, Youth and Sports, Agriculture and Forestry among others.
The two countries exchanged their views on regional and international issues of common interest and also expressed their common will to contribute to the development of the African continent, preserving peace and stability.
Ghana’s delegation was led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Hon. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, whiles Angola’s delegation was led by the Secretary of State for International Cooperation and Angolan Communities of the Ministry of External Relations, Mr. Domingos Custódio Vieira Lopes.
During the meeting, the two Ministers acknowledged the strong bonds of friendship and solidarity between the two countries and recalled the two historic meetings between their Heads of State, respectively the official visit of H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to Luanda in August, 2019 and the official visit of H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço to Accra in August, 2021.
The Ministers further expressed satisfaction at the progress made in various areas of cooperation since the last session of the Bilateral Commission for Cooperation in 2014 and encouraged the business communities to undertake exploratory visits to each other’s country in order to fully explore potential business opportunities. The two dignitaries renewed the unwavering commitment of their respective countries to the principles of international law and legality and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.
Hon. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong extended his congratulations to His Excellency President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço on his appointment by the African Union (AU) as Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa.
During the 6th Session of the BCC, nine (9) Memoranda of Understanding were signed during the Session. These were:
a. Memorandum of Understanding between Agency for Private Investment and Export Promotion Exports (AIPEX) of the Republic of Angola and Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) of the Republic of Ghana;
b. Memorandum of Understanding between the Venâncio de Moura Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of External Relations of the Republic of Angola and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center of the Republic of Ghana;
c. Memorandum of Understanding between the Public Television of Angola (TPA) of the Republic of Angola and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) of the Republic of Ghana in the field of Exchange and Television Broadcasting;
d. Memorandum of Understanding between the National Radio of Angola (RNA) and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in the field of Radio Broadcasting;
e. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas of the Republic of Angola and the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Ghana in the area of Exploration and Exploitation of Hydrocarbon Resources;
f. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Angola and the Government of the Republic of Ghana in the Area of Tourism;
g. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Angola and the Government of the Republic of Ghana in the Area of Arts and Culture;
h. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Government of the Republic of Angola in the Field of Higher Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation; and
i. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Government of the Republic of Angola in the Field of Language Proficiency Programmes in the area of Education.
The 7th Session of the Ghana-Angola Bilateral Commission for Cooperation will be held in Ghana in 2026.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
