Ghana and Zambia have proposed the establishment of an Enhanced Economic Development Cooperation Partnership Agreement to deepen bilateral relations beyond the existing Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation.

The proposal was agreed during bilateral talks between President John Dramani Mahama and his Zambian counterpart, President Hakainde Hichilema, in Lusaka.

President Mahama disclosed this at a State Banquet held in his honour by President Hichilema as part of his three-day State Visit to Zambia.

President Mahama, accompanied by his wife, First Lady Lordina Mahama, is in Zambia at the invitation of President Hichilema.

Reflecting on the bilateral engagement, President Mahama said both leaders found themselves aligned in their thinking on key development issues.

“And when we went into the bilateral meeting, it was very obvious that we were thinking along the same wavelength,” he said.

He said the discussions were so engaging that they extended well beyond the scheduled time, describing the meeting as fruitful and focused on sharing best practices.

President Mahama said the talks explored areas where both countries could learn from each other, noting that while Zambia had areas of strength, Ghana also had experiences that could be shared for mutual benefit.

He said both leaders agreed that continental alliances must be reinforced by strong bilateral relationships.

“Notwithstanding the continental alliances that exist, we must underpin those alliances by forging stronger bilateral relationships between our two countries,” he said.

President Mahama said they had agreed to take immediate steps to operationalise their decisions as soon as he returned to Ghana, assuring President Hichilema of swift action on the matters discussed.

The President said from the moment he arrived in Lusaka, he had felt genuinely at home, citing the warmth of the reception and the ease of engagement between the two leaders.

He said the hospitality extended to his delegation underscored a bond between Ghana and Zambia that transcends formal diplomacy.

“This is not a relationship of convenience. It is a relationship of history, shared struggle, and a deep belief in Africa’s destiny,” he said.

President Mahama recounted a personal moment during the visit when he and President Hichilema stepped briefly away from formal discussions to reflect on leadership and public service.

“We spoke quite simply about leadership, about the way to meet the expectations of our people, and about the responsibility we carry to leave our countries better than we met them,” he said.

“It was an honest conversation between two African leaders who understand that leadership is not about power, but about service.”

President Mahama said the exchange captured the true spirit of the visit, for which he expressed gratitude to President Hichilema.

He recalled the vision of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and Zambia’s Founding President, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, who envisioned a united, confident and self-determined Africa.

“They believed that borders should never divide African brothers and sisters, and that solidarity must be lived, not merely declared,” he said.

“Tonight, I feel strongly that we are honouring the legacy these two great men left.”

President Mahama said the agreements signed during the visit, particularly the decision to allow visa-free travel between Ghana and Zambia, went beyond diplomacy.

He said they were statements of trust that affirmed the closeness of the two peoples.

President Mahama said cooperation in health, education, air transport, defence and other sectors reflects the shared commitment of both countries to African-led solutions to African challenges.

He said he was also honoured to address the National Assembly of Zambia earlier in the day and expressed appreciation to the Speaker for the warm reception.

“Standing in that chamber, I was reminded that democracy on our continent has been nurtured through sacrifice and resilience,” he said.

President Mahama said although separated by geography, Ghana and Zambia are bound by shared values and aspirations.

He said he had also met members of the Ghanaian community living in Zambia, who spoke warmly of the hospitality and respect they enjoy.

On their behalf and on behalf of the people of Ghana, President Mahama expressed gratitude to President Hichilema and the people of Zambia for making them feel not like strangers, but like neighbours.