Latest news with #SamuelOkudzetoAblakwa
Ya Biladi
4 hours ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
As factory plans await, Morocco donates 2,000 tons of fertilizer to Ghana
Morocco is donating 2,000 tons of fertilizer to Ghana, Ghanaian Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced on X. He also highlighted that food security cooperation between Rabat and Accra will include technical support for the construction of a modern fertilizer manufacturing plant in Ghana. The topic of fertilizers was briefly discussed by Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad, Nasser Bourita, during a press briefing last week in Rabat alongside his Ghanaian counterpart. Just days earlier, Kenya's Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi, speaking from Casablanca, called on the Kingdom to accelerate the creation of a fertilizer blending plant in Kenya, a project expected to significantly lower input costs and boost yields for Kenyan farmers. Both Kenya and Ghana support Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, first proposed in 2007. Morocco is also in talks with Tanzania, despite the country's recognition of the so-called «Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)», to build a fertilizer production facility there.
Morocco World
a day ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Ghanaians Can Now Travel to Morocco Without Traditional Visa
Doha – Ghanaian citizens no longer need to obtain traditional visas to enter Morocco, following a new bilateral agreement between the two African countries. The landmark policy change, which takes immediate effect, replaces embassy appointments with an online travel authorization system promising approvals within 24 hours. Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the development during his two-day working visit to Rabat. 'This is one of the key agreements reached with the Moroccan Foreign Minister during my two-day working visit,' Ablakwa stated. The minister shared the news on his official social media pages on Friday, explaining that Ghanaians can now travel to Morocco using an electronic authorization system. Moroccan officials confirmed the immediate implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorization to Morocco (ETAM) system for Ghanaian citizens. 'We've agreed to make mobility easier for our citizens,' Ablakwa said during a press briefing with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita. 'Although there is already a direct air link between Ghana and Morocco, the visa has been the main barrier to trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchange. Now, with this new measure, that barrier is lifted.' The visa waiver policy aims to significantly enhance trade, boost tourism, and deepen interpersonal connections between the two countries. Existing direct flights operated by Royal Air Maroc will be increased to support this new agreement, potentially establishing daily connections between Casablanca and Accra. 'This will significantly boost tourism and trade, especially since Morocco is a very popular destination,' Ablakwa added. In their joint statement, both ministers affirmed their commitment to promoting tourism, trade, and economic development. They also revealed intentions to finalize a complete visa exemption agreement for holders of ordinary passports in the future. Beyond facilitating travel, the diplomatic engagement produced a seismic shift in Ghana's foreign policy. During the same visit, Ghana formally terminated its recognition of 'SADR,' the paper state proclaimed by the separatist Polisario Front, which it had supported since 1979. Ghana now fully backs Morocco's autonomy proposal for Western Sahara, describing it as 'the only realistic and sustainable basis for a mutually acceptable solution' to the regional dispute. The ministerial meetings yielded several additional cooperation agreements. Both countries signed a memorandum of understanding on political consultations to enhance diplomatic coordination. Morocco pledged to increase scholarships for Ghanaian students from 90 to 140 annually across various disciplines through the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI). 'This is excellent news for us,' Ablakwa remarked. 'Our universities will also welcome Moroccan students, particularly those interested in English-language programs and African studies. We'll soon have a specific agreement in place to facilitate this academic cooperation.' Economic collaboration featured prominently in discussions, with plans for a joint business forum focusing on fertilizer supply—a strategic sector given Ghana's annual import bill of over $3 billion in agricultural products. Both countries will deepen cooperation in agriculture and food security, with special attention to Ghana's cocoa sector. 'Ghana currently spends nearly $3 billion annually on food imports. Our new President is committed to reversing that trend,' said Ablakwa. 'Morocco's expertise in agriculture, agri-food, and fertilizer production gives it a clear advantage. Moroccan experts will soon collaborate with their Ghanaian counterparts to determine the best fertilizer type for our needs.' Transportation links also received attention during Ablakwa's meeting with Morocco's Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh. Both parties discussed opportunities in air connectivity, maritime transport, and logistics. Ablakwa mentioned that President John Mahama hopes to make a state visit to Morocco soon, reciprocating King Mohammed VI's 2017 visit to Accra, during which 25 bilateral agreements were signed across key sectors. 'The borders in Africa must not be allowed to divide us—they can be bridges of connectivity. Diplomacy must make meaningful impact in the lives of the people we serve,' Ablakwa concluded. The current agreement builds on earlier discussions between the two countries. In March, Ablakwa met with Morocco's Ambassador to Ghana, Imane Ouaadil, where they initially agreed to introduce a visa waiver for travelers from both countries. This development goes in line with Ghana's broader visa liberalization policy. In January, then-President Nana Akufo-Addo announced the removal of visa requirements for all African passport holders effective January 1, making Ghana the fifth African country to implement such a policy after Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia, and Benin. Morocco and Ghana have steadily strengthened their bilateral relations in recent years. In January, Morocco was represented at Ghana's presidential inauguration, with Moroccan officials participating in the ceremony that saw President John Mahama take office. The two countries position their engagement as a model for strengthening intra-African partnerships.
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Ghana endorses Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara
Ghana said on Thursday it views a Moroccan autonomy plan as the sole basis to settle the Western Sahara dispute within the framework of the UN, aligning itself with a growing number of Western, African and Arab countries that back Rabat's position on the dispute. The long-frozen conflict pits Morocco, which considers the desert territory as its own, against the Algeria-backed Polisario front, which seeks an independent state there. Ghana considers the autonomy plan "as the only realistic and sustainable basis to a mutually agreed solution to the issue", said a joint statement issued after talks between Ghana's foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita in Rabat. The UN should remain the exclusive framework for finding a solution to the issue, the statement said. The position was expressed few days after similar stands by Kenya and the UK, reflecting a diplomatic shift in Morocco's favour.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Republic of Ghana Considers Autonomy Plan Presented by Morocco as Only Realistic Sustainable Basis for Mutually Acceptable Solution to Sahara Issue
The Republic of Ghana considers the autonomy plan presented by the Kingdom of Morocco as the only realistic and sustainable basis for a mutually acceptable solution to the Sahara issue. This position was expressed in a joint Communiqué inked following the meeting held this Thursday in Rabat between Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Mr. Nasser Bourita and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ghana Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. On the basis of recent developments, the Ghanaian minister welcomed the United Nations' efforts as the exclusive framework for reaching a realistic, practical and sustainable solution to the dispute over Moroccan Sahara. Ghana's position, as reiterated by Okudzeto Ablakwa, falls in line with the international momentum driven by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in favor of the autonomy plan and the Kingdom's sovereignty over its Sahara. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Morocco: Ghana's Foreign Minister Hails Royal Initiatives, Expresses Admiration for His Majesty the King's Leadership & Strong Commitment to Peace, Stability and Development in Africa
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ghana Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa hailed here on Thursday the Royal Initiatives, and expressed admiration for the leadership and strong commitment of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in favor of peace, stability and development in Africa. In a joint Communiqué issued following his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Mr. Nasser Bourita, Okudzeto Ablakwa hailed the leadership and laudable contribution of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to the international Community's efforts to promote peace, stability and development in Africa. In this context, he expressed his country's commitment to further enshrine cooperation with the Kingdom of Morocco in various areas of cooperation. The two ministers further welcomed the momentum generated within the framework of the Atlantic African States Process to turn the Atlantic African space into a geostrategic framework offering major opportunities for synergy and cooperation among its countries. These opportunities include strategic areas such as the environment, food security, health, energy, logistical interconnection, pooling resources and exchange of experience, therefore forming an area of co-emergence and stability. Okudzeto Ablakwa also lauded His Majesty the King's initiative to promote Sahel countries' access to the Atlantic Ocean, underlining the strategic importance of this Initiative, which forms part of Morocco's active solidarity with sister African countries. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
