President John Mahama has said the relationship between Ghana and Zimbabwe is rooted in a shared history of African liberation and strengthened by deep personal ties, not just formal diplomacy.

He made the remarks at a state banquet held in honour of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is on an official visit to Ghana.

Addressing guests, President Mahama pointed to the historical connection between the two countries, describing it as one shaped by common struggles and shared ideals.

“Ghana and Zimbabwe are bound by a story that predates formal diplomacy,” he said.

“A story that is forged in the defining struggles for African liberation, led by visionaries such as Kwame Nkrumah and the late President Mugabe.”

He added that the values championed by these leaders continue to guide both nations. “Their shared ideals of freedom, dignity, and Pan-African unity continue to guide our path today,” he noted.

President Mahama also highlighted the personal link between Ghana and the late former Zimbabwean leader, Robert Mugabe.

He recalled that Mugabe once lived in Ghana, where he worked as a teacher and became part of the country’s early post-independence experience.

“President Mugabe once lived and worked in Ghana… He worked as a teacher, an intellectual, and immersed himself in the spirit of the newly independent nation of Ghana,” he said.

He added that Mugabe’s marriage to Sally Mugabe, a Ghanaian, further strengthened the bond between the two countries.

“His marriage to Madame Sally Francisca Mugabe, a proud daughter of Ghana, further cemented the ties between our two people,” he stated.

In a light-hearted moment, President Mahama referenced traditional marriage customs, joking about an outstanding dowry.

“A reminder that Ghana may yet be awaiting the final instalment of our lobola,” he said. “For those of you who know lobola, it means dowry. It wasn’t all paid when President Mugabe married our sister Sally, and so there might be some outstanding lobola to pay.”

He quickly added that such ties go beyond symbolism. “Such ties are not merely symbolic. They are enduring, binding, and a constant reminder of the strength of family and friendship that exists between our two nations and our solidarity as Africans.”

According to him, the occasion was more than a formal event. “Tonight is not merely ceremonial. It is a celebration of a relationship shaped by history, enriched by shared experiences and sustained by genuine human connections,” he said.

President Mahama also pointed to ongoing cooperation between the two countries, noting that these relationships continue to grow through institutional and people-to-people links.

“It is these human connections, quiet but enduring and meaningful, that give true substance to our bilateral relations,” he added.

President Mnangagwa, in his remarks, praised Ghana for its development efforts, particularly in infrastructure and the use of technology to drive growth.

“It is pleasant to note that the AfCFTA has found its natural home in Ghana, whose historical commitment to Pan-Africanism, African integration and unity is unparalleled on the continent,” he said.

He noted that Zimbabwe is ready to deepen cooperation through continental trade initiatives. “We stand ready to scale up efforts to strengthen these strategic institutions of our beloved African continent,” he stated.

President Mnangagwa also commended Ghana’s progress. “I congratulate you… for the ongoing infrastructure development, as well as the transformative policies that leverage on a knowledge-driven economy and cutting-edge technologies for efficient delivery of social services in Ghana,” he said.

He described Ghana’s development agenda as admirable. “Your commitment to propel Ghana to new levels of development and prosperity is extremely admirable,” he added.

The Zimbabwean leader said his government shares a similar ambition.

“My administration shares a similar resolve to transform Zimbabwe’s economy to be an upper-middle-income society by 2030,” he said.

“In our country, we are driven by a development philosophy that says a country is built and governed and must be prayed for by its own people,” he added.