On the visit of the Belarusian delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxim Ryzhenkov to Ghana

On March 3, 2026, started the first official visit in the history of bilateral relations of the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Maxim Ryzhenkov to the Republic of Ghana.

The meeting with the President of the Republic of Ghana H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama was held.

A congratulatory letter from the President of Belarus H.E. Mr. Alexander Lukashenko on the upcoming Independence Day of Ghana was conveyed, along with a personal invitation to visit Minsk. H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama gratefully accepted the invitation; specific dates upon through diplomatic channels will be agreed. The meeting focused on prospects for bilateral cooperation. The President of Ghana specifically emphasized agriculture, proposing to develop a program of cooperation in the agricultural sector. The first part of Belarusian machinery is expected this year. The sides agreed to resume regular political dialogue: hold consultations between their foreign ministries, create a joint commission on trade and economic cooperation, and hold the first session. The Ghanaian side also expressed interest in developing cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Mr. Maxim Ryzhenkov confirmed Belarus's readiness to expand cooperation in education, military-technical cooperation, and food security, noting that Ghana is one of Belarus's priority partners on the African continent.

On March 4, 2026, the meeting of the heads of the two countries' foreign ministries was held. Mr. Maxim Ryzhenkov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ghana, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in a restricted and expanded format discussed a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues.

Particular attention was paid to preparations for the upcoming official visit of the President of Ghana H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama to Belarus. The parties reviewed the substantive content of the visit and the package of international documents planned for signing. These included agreements on visa-free travel for diplomatic and service passports, on agricultural mechanization, on export credits, on the establishment of an Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, and a number of other documents. The ministers confirmed their intention to develop cooperation in the political sphere, agriculture, and counterterrorism. The importance of joint educational programs was noted. The organization of a business and investment forum in Minsk with the participation of Belarusian and Ghanaian businessmen was also discussed. Particular attention to cooperation on international platforms was paid.

The same day, the meeting with the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry of Ghana Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Ajare was held.

Expanding economic cooperation and implementing projects in agricultural mechanization and food security were discussed. Belarus is interested in importing Ghanaian fruits, nuts, vegetables, and cocoa beans, as well as developing cooperation via Belarus with members of the Eurasian Economic Union. The Ghanaian side proposed the possibility of establishing cocoa processing facilities on its territory. Mr. Maxim Ryzhenkov emphasized the importance of preparing a comprehensive package of bilateral agreements in the frame of the visit of President of Ghana, including documents on the avoidance of double taxation, investment protection, and customs cooperation. Preparation the list of Ghanaian companies to participate in the business forum in Minsk was agreed.

During the meeting with the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture of Ghana, Mr. John Dumelo, issues of food security and agricultural cooperation were discussed in detail.

The Belarusian side presented the potential of the agro-industrial complex of Belarus: opportunities for supply of milk powder and poultry meat, the purchase of Ghanaian cocoa beans through direct contracts, and cooperation in livestock and crop production, including the supply of breeding material, compound feed, and veterinary drugs. Mr. John Dumelo noticed the importance of developing agricultural mechanization centers. The Ghanaian side emphasized the need to adapt Belarusian equipment to local conditions, including the needs of small farmers, as well as the development of irrigation and the creation of crop storage facilities. The training of Ghanaian agricultural specialists at specialized Belarusian educational institutions was discussed. Mawim Ryzhenkov invited the Ghanaian delegation to visit the exhibition “BELAGRO”.

The Belarusian delegation included the Deputy Minister of Industry Mr. Leonid Ryzhkovsky, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Mr. Alexander Yakovchits, the Counselor of the Embassy Mr. Valery Mrochak, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and businessmen.

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