By James Amoh Junior, GNA
Accra, July 3, GNA– Canada and Ghana have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations.
Both countries are positioning their nearly seven-decade partnership for greater economic cooperation anchored on innovation, sustainable growth and private sector collaboration.
The renewed commitment was expressed at the celebration of Canada’s 159th National Day reception in Accra, where both countries highlighted the steady evolution of their relationship from one driven largely by development assistance to one increasingly centred on trade, investment and mutually beneficial economic partnerships.
Ghana and Canada established diplomatic relations in 1957, shortly after Ghana attained independence, making Canada one of the country’s longest-standing development and economic partners.
Over the past 69 years, Canadian support has contributed to Ghana’s development through investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, governance, water and sanitation, mining and clean energy.
In recent years, however, both countries have increasingly shifted the focus of the relationship towards expanding bilateral trade, attracting investment and promoting private sector-led economic growth.
Ghana’s position as host of the AfCFTA Secretariat has further strengthened its attractiveness as a gateway for Canadian businesses seeking access to the continental market of more than 1.4 billion people.
The Canada-Ghana Chamber of Commerce has also played an increasingly active role in facilitating business partnerships and promoting commercial exchanges between investors in both countries.
Ms. Myriam Montrat, the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, said the relationship between the two countries had “never been stronger,” citing expanding cooperation in trade and investment, education, diplomacy, peace and security, and people-to-people exchanges.
“Our partnership continues to grow across trade and investment, education, development cooperation, peace and security, and, most importantly, the connections between our people,” she said.
The High Commissioner said Canada viewed Africa as a strategic partner for the future and was intensifying its engagement with the continent through partnerships that supported sustainable economic growth, innovation and shared prosperity.
She said Canadian companies were contributing expertise, technology and innovation to Ghana’s development, particularly through investments across key sectors of the economy.
According to her, bilateral trade between Canada and Ghana reached US$752 million in 2025, representing a remarkable 56 per cent increase over the previous year.
The High Commissioner described the growth as evidence of the expanding commercial relationship between the two countries and expressed optimism that further opportunities existed to scale up investment and business partnerships.
She said Canada remained committed to supporting Ghana through development cooperation, while promoting inclusive economic growth by empowering women and young people through skills development, climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness and improved governance.
Ms. Montrat announced that Canada would later this year host an Investment Summit to showcase investment opportunities to international investors, including those from Ghana, as part of efforts to strengthen global economic partnerships.
The High Commissioner underscored Canada’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Ghana on climate action, gender equality, peace and security and multilateral engagement.
She said the Ghanaian diaspora in Canada remained one of the strongest pillars of bilateral relations, contributing significantly to Canada’s economy and society while strengthening ties between both countries.
The envoy highlighted the recent visit of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to Canada, describing it as a milestone that opened fresh opportunities for collaboration in infrastructure, mining, agriculture and economic development.
Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, speaking on behalf of the Government of Ghana, said Ghana appreciated Canada’s longstanding contribution to the country’s socio-economic development but noted that bilateral relations were entering a new phase focused on commerce, innovation and investment.
He said Ghana valued Canada’s support over the years in sectors including trade, mining, clean energy, agriculture, water supply, science, education and technical assistance.
“Today, however, that relationship has evolved beyond development cooperation into a dynamic partnership that is being driven increasingly by trade, investment, innovation, and sustainable economic growth.” Dr. Jinapor said.
He said the transformation reflected the shared aspirations of both countries to build a partnership founded on mutual benefit and shared prosperity.
The Minister identified agribusiness, renewable energy, digital transformation, innovation, responsible mining, manufacturing and infrastructure development as sectors offering enormous opportunities for expanded collaboration.
He said deeper cooperation in those areas would help drive inclusive economic growth, create decent jobs and support industrial development in both countries.
Dr. Jinapor said Ghana was well positioned to serve as Canada’s gateway to the African market through the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.
“As host of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area, Ghana stands ready to serve as Canada’s strategic gateway to Africa’s vast and growing market,” he stated.
Beyond economic cooperation, both countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to democracy, peace, security and multilateralism.
The Minister noted that Ghana and Canada continued to collaborate through the United Nations, the Commonwealth and La Francophonie while advancing common priorities in peacekeeping, maritime security and inclusive governance.
He acknowledged Canada’s support through the Elsie Initiative, which has increased the participation of Ghanaian women in United Nations peacekeeping operations, as well as assistance to the Ghana Armed Forces and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre.
Dr. Jinapor said Ghana was committed to expanding cooperation into emerging areas including innovation, digital transformation, research, education, healthcare and skills development, particularly for young people.
He expressed confidence that as Ghana and Canada prepared to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations next year, both countries would continue to build a stronger partnership capable of delivering greater economic opportunities for their peoples.
The Minister commended Canada for co-hosting the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the tournament as an important platform for promoting cultural exchange and international cooperation.
GNA
Reporter: James Amoh Junior
Email: [email protected]
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong