Ghana and the Philippines agree to deepen trade ties after UN talks in New York

Pinned summary · as of 04:20

Ghana and the Philippines have committed to deepening their trade and investment links after the two countries' foreign ministers met in New York. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and his counterpart from Manila, Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, held the talks on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where they also looked at a joint chamber of commerce and cooperation on labour mobility.

What we know

• Mr Ablakwa, Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, met Ms Lazaro, who leads the Philippines' foreign affairs department, in New York during the 81st UN General Assembly.
• The two governments agreed to strengthen cooperation on trade and investment.
• The two governments agreed to hold business fora in each country so that companies can connect and private firms can explore investment openings on both sides.
• Setting up a Ghana-Philippines chamber of commerce, meant to give businesses a lasting channel for engagement and partnerships, was on the table at the meeting.
• Both countries said they would share ideas and expertise on labour mobility arrangements.
• Mr Ablakwa welcomed the Philippines' plan to set up a diplomatic mission in Ghana before the end of the year, calling it a significant step for relations between the two nations.

What's disputed / unconfirmed

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  Rainbow Radio Online and Citi Newsroom reported that the two countries agreed to create the chamber of commerce, while MyJoyOnline said only that plans for one were discussed, so it is not clear how far the idea has progressed.
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  Rainbow Radio Online reported that the planned embassy would be the first physical Philippine diplomatic mission in Accra since relations began; no other report has said so.
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  Rainbow Radio Online said the ministers agreed to expand trade and investment significantly and to set up frameworks for exchanging policy ideas on labour mobility; other reports describe these commitments in less specific terms.

Why it matters for Ghana

Business fora and a joint chamber of commerce could give Ghanaian exporters, investors and small firms new contacts in a large Asian market. A resident Philippine embassy would also mean Ghanaians dealing with Manila, from traders to travellers, have a mission on home soil. Cooperation on labour mobility is relevant to Ghanaians seeking work abroad and to how such movement is managed.