Ghana, Canada sign letter of intent to deepen bilateral relations
Story by: Regina Bless
Ghana and Canada have renewed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations following the signing of a Letter of Intent during an official visit by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to Ottawa.
The agreement was signed after an invitation from Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Anita Anand, as both countries seek to deepen cooperation across key sectors of mutual interest.
The Letter of Intent identifies priority areas for collaboration, including aviation, railway development, trade facilitation, education, agribusiness, value addition, mining, counterterrorism, renewable energy and artificial intelligence (AI). It also provides for the commencement of negotiations towards a defence agreement.
During the visit, Ms. Anand hosted Mr. Ablakwa and his delegation for bilateral discussions on a wide range of issues aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries.
Mr. Ablakwa indicated that Ghana and Canada would work towards becoming stronger allies under President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Agenda and Canada’s Strategic Plan for Africa, launched on Ghana’s Independence Day on March 6, 2025.
The two countries are also exploring structured labour mobility pathways and increased scholarship opportunities to expand employment prospects and educational exchanges.
On regional and international security, Ghana and Canada agreed to strengthen cooperation in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, instability in Haiti and violent extremism in the Sahel.
They further committed to closer collaboration at the multilateral level, focusing on United Nations reforms, climate justice and restructuring the global financial architecture, as Ghana prepares to chair the African Union (AU).
Mr. Ablakwa also expressed appreciation to Canada for hosting Ghana’s senior national football team, the Black Stars, and Ghanaian supporters during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana and Canada share a longstanding relationship spanning 120 years, dating back to the establishment of a church in Navrongo by missionaries from the Province of Québec.
The renewed partnership is expected to create opportunities for economic cooperation, investment, security collaboration and stronger people-to-people relations between the two countries.