A significant procurement agreement for the provision of 1,840 pieces of agricultural equipment has been reached between Belarus and President John Dramani Mahama.
Speaking yesterday at the first-ever Belarus-Ghana Business Forum in the capital, Minsk, the president called on the private sectors of both countries to go beyond diplomatic cordiality and create long-lasting commercial partnerships, describing the agreement as a practical example of strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
While on a state visit to Belarus, the president stated that the two economies were “highly complementary,” with Ghana providing political stability, natural resources, and strategic access to African markets, and Belarus having strengths in industrial manufacturing, fertiliser production, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural mechanisation.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Eric Opoku, the Minister of Food and Agriculture; Joyce Bawa Mogtari, the President’s Special Aide; Stan Xoese Dogbe, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations; Shamima Muslim, the Deputy Presidential Spokesperson; Beatrice Annan, the Presidential Staff; senior government officials; and representatives from the private sector accompanied the President.
“We are gathered here not merely to exchange ideas but to create opportunities, to forge partnerships, and to lay the foundations for a new chapter in Ghana-Belarus cooperation,” President Mahama announced to a group of policymakers, investors, and business executives.
Ghana’s economic recovery since his administration took office in January 2025 was highlighted by President Mahama at the forum.
He restated the nation’s economic recovery narrative, supporting it with macroeconomic data such as a substantial decline in inflation from around 54.1 percent in 2023 to 3.4 percent in 2026 and a strengthened position of foreign reserves from $8.6 billion in 2024 to $13.9 billion in 2025.
President Mahama declared, “Investor confidence has returned,” adding that Ghana’s GDP has risen above $100 billion to $114 billion, making it the seventh largest economy in Africa.
He pointed out that in 2025, the GDP grew by more over 6% while the cedi gained 46% against major trading currencies.
The President described the main initiative of his administration, the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, which aimed to increase industrial output, maximise productivity, and establish Ghana as a major African hub for manufacturing and exports.
“The programme is encouraging industries to operate around the clock while supporting investments in logistics, energy, transport, manufacturing, and agro-processing,” he explained.
“Ghana’s fertile land, favourable climate and expanding market make it one of Africa’s most attractive agribusiness destinations,” he said.
He asked Belarusian investors to take part in commercial farming, irrigation development, greenhouse production, fertiliser manufacturing, and agro-processing since he saw agriculture as the biggest immediate prospect for cooperation.
Investors were reassured by President Mahama of Ghana’s political stability, clear legal and regulatory frameworks, strong investor protection, and a promise of profit repatriation.
He reminded investors that setting up shop in Ghana would provide them access to both the 34 million-person local market and the 1.4 billion-person African Continental Free Trade Area.
Three memoranda of agreement (MoUs) were signed in front of the forum.
The first creates a common framework for economic cooperation, the second for agricultural production cooperation, and the third for cooperation between the two nations’ chambers of business and trade.
The president revealed that a deal had also been made for Belarusian mining equipment producers to come to Ghana as early as next week.
“The true measure of our relationship should not be the number of diplomatic exchanges that we conduct; it should be the number of businesses that we create, the jobs that we create, the technology that we transfer, and the prosperity we create for future generations,” President Mahama said.
He urged attendees to depart Minsk determined to “transform our discussions into deals and partnerships and to transform those partnerships into projects.”
Source: newsthemegh.com