Ghana and Panama sign deal to start regular political consultations

Pinned summary · as of 16:27

Ghana and Panama have agreed a framework for regular talks between their governments, after their foreign ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding in New York. The signing took place alongside the United Nations General Assembly, which is still under way.

What we know

• A Memorandum of Understanding launching formal political consultations between Ghana and Panama was signed by the two countries' foreign ministers, Ghana's Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Panama's Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha Vasquez.
• The signing happened in New York on the fringes of the UN General Assembly session now in progress.
• The pact is meant to strengthen and give structure to cooperation on maritime affairs, cocoa production, trade and technical help for each other in the extractive sector.
• Mr Ablakwa said the occasion also allowed the two sides to make peace over Ghana's Black Stars beating Panama at the World Cup that has just ended.

What's disputed / unconfirmed

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  Opemsuo 104.7 gave 20 September 2026 as the signing date; Rainbow Radio Online did not state a date, so this detail has not been matched by another report.
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  Rainbow Radio Online reported that the agreement is expected to lead to regular, structured meetings between the two governments; no official has been quoted saying so.

Why it matters for Ghana

Cocoa is a major Ghanaian export, and the agreement names it as a priority area, alongside trade and mining-sector support. Shipping and port interests in Tema and Takoradi may also follow the maritime element. The pact sets up a channel for the two governments to raise such issues directly.