Mahama Holds Bilateral Talks in Zambia, Reaffirms Ghana–Zambia Partnership.
President John Dramani Mahama addressing the Zambian Parliament on Feb 5 in Lusaka.
Accra, Ghana- President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Zambia following high-level talks at the Zambian State House during his three-day official visit.
Speaking after the meeting with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, President Mahama expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded to his delegation since his arrival in Lusaka. He described the welcome at the airport defined by dancing, enthusiasm, and the presence of the Ghanaian community as heartfelt and symbolic of the strong bonds between the two nations.
“The Ghanaian community was there, and we really felt very welcome and at home,” President Mahama said, adding that Ghanaians living in Zambia asked him to convey their appreciation to the Zambian government for the hospitality and sense of belonging they enjoy.
At the State House, the two leaders discussed a broad range of issues to strengthen cooperation between Ghana and Zambia. President Mahama described the relationship between the two countries in the early post-independence years, recalling the close friendship between Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and Zambia’s founding leader, Kenneth Kaunda. He noted that Ghana once served as a center for African freedom fighters and that Nkrumah’s declaration—linking Ghana’s independence to the total liberation of Africa continues to shape continental thinking.
Reflecting on Africa’s post-independence journey, President Mahama said the divisions created during the Berlin Conference slowed the continent’s development and limited collective prosperity. As Ghana approaches its 70th independence anniversary next year, he said the need for closer cooperation among African states is clearer than ever.
He told President Hichilema that while continental frameworks such as the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area remain important, strong bilateral relationships can make a decisive difference. “While we cooperate at the continental level, bilateral relations between countries can make a very big difference,” he said.
The discussions also focused on shared economic challenges. President Mahama noted that both Ghana and Zambia have undergone debt restructuring and are implementing economic reforms to restore fiscal stability. He said the similarities create opportunities for mutual learning and the exchange of practical experiences.
President Mahama interacting with Zambian Parliamentarians.
Mining featured prominently in the talks, with President Mahama pointing to common challenges across artisanal, small-scale, and large-scale mining, including those involving multinational firms. Agriculture and the marketing of agricultural products across borders were also discussed, as both countries seek to strengthen food production and trade.
President Mahama said continental free trade cannot succeed in isolation without strong bilateral arrangements that identify tradable products and create enabling conditions for exchange. He called for upgrading Ghana–Zambia relations beyond political dialogue and existing joint commissions toward a more structured economic partnership that enables real-time collaboration and the sharing of best practices.
He also highlighted the close social ties between citizens of both countries, noting that many families are now multinational, with Ghanaian–Zambian marriages serving as a foundation for lasting people-to-people relations. “Half Zambian, half Ghanaian, but all African,” he said.
President Mahama concluded by thanking President Hichilema for the invitation and expressed confidence that the visit would significantly enhance relations between the two countries. He also extended a reciprocal invitation for President Hichilema to visit Ghana, wishing him well ahead of Zambia’s upcoming elections.
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