In a significant move to bolster diplomatic and economic ties, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has been engaging her counterpart in Singapore, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan.

The two ministers engaged extensively on ways to strengthen the already existing relationship between Ghana and Singapore.

The high-level meeting, which took place in Singapore, marked a milestone in the relations between the two nations, aiming to foster collaboration across various sectors.

The meeting underscored the mutual desire to deepen diplomatic relations. Both ministers emphasized the importance of maintaining robust bilateral ties and discussed various ways to enhance diplomatic engagements.

Dr. Balakrishnan reiterated Singapore’s commitment to strengthening its ties with Ghana, viewing it as a key partner in West Africa.

He emphasised the potential for both countries to benefit from cooperation, particularly in areas such as trade, investment, and capacity building.

A significant focus of the talks was on expanding trade and economic cooperation. Ms. Botchwey pointed out Ghana’s favourable business climate, recent economic reforms, and the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) headquarters in Accra as major attractions for foreign investors.

Dr. Balakrishnan acknowledged the potential for increased trade and investment between the two nations.

He expressed Singapore’s interest in exploring opportunities in sectors such as information technology, finance, and manufacturing.

The ministers agreed on the need to facilitate more business exchanges and to create a framework for continuous economic dialogue to identify and address challenges that may hinder trade.

The talks also touched on various global and regional issues of mutual concern.

Both ministers discussed the importance of multilateralism and the need for collective efforts in addressing global challenges such as climate change, security, and public health, among others.

Ms Botchwey, one of Africa’s leading diplomats and a former ECOWAS legislator, has made climate change one of the key pillars of her bid to take up the role of Commonwealth Secretary-General, a position which will be voted for in October by Heads of Government of the 56-member organisation.

Ms. Botchwey and Dr. Balakrishnan reaffirmed their countries' commitment to international peace and security, highlighting the need for cooperation in regional security initiatives.

They also discussed the importance of sustainable development, with Dr. Balakrishnan commending Ghana's efforts in promoting green energy and sustainable agriculture.

As Ghana counts on Singapore’s support during the Commonwealth elections in October 2024, the two foreign affairs ministers are hopeful this bilateral talk will represent a significant step towards a more robust partnership between Ghana and Singapore.

The meeting laid a solid foundation for future cooperation, with both countries committing to work closely on various fronts.