By Iddi Yire
Accra, July 29, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has hosted a state dinner at the Presidency in Accra in honour of his Gabonese counterpart, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who is on a three-day state visit to Ghana.
President Nguema is in Ghana at the invitation of President Mahama to strengthen bilateral relations and deepen cooperation between the two countries.
Welcoming his guest, President Mahama thanked President Nguema for accepting the invitation to visit Ghana.
“Ghana is honoured by your visit and your distinguished presence. We receive you and your delegation not merely as official visitors, but as cherished brothers and sisters of our African family and as partners in Africa’s continuing journey towards dignity, peace, prosperity and progress for our people,” he said.
President Mahama commended President Nguema for his leadership since assuming office, noting that he had successfully guided Gabon’s political transition through an inclusive national dialogue and restored constitutional governance, culminating in the April 2025 presidential election.
He said President Nguema’s leadership was worthy of emulation by other countries in the sub-region.
President Mahama said discussions held prior to the dinner reaffirmed the depth of goodwill between Ghana and Gabon and highlighted the immense opportunities for enhanced cooperation.
“I firmly believe that Africa’s future will be shaped by Africans working together in confidence and solidarity,” he said.
The President noted that Gabon had earned international recognition for its leadership in environmental stewardship and forest conservation, saying Ghana valued that example, particularly in climate resilience, biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management.
He reiterated that, as host of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Ghana remained committed to deepening economic integration across the continent.
He said stronger links between West and Central Africa would unlock new opportunities for trade, investment, industrialisation and shared prosperity.
President Mahama said the shared commitment to expanding commercial ties, promoting investment, encouraging innovation, sharing experiences in sustainable resource management and creating greater opportunities for the people of both countries were the building blocks of a partnership that would improve lives and strengthen confidence in Africa.
He said state visits were about more than agreements and memoranda of understanding.
“They represent an important opportunity to renew our friendship and brotherhood, deepen trust, open new pathways for cooperation and strengthen people-to-people relations,” he said.
President Mahama said Ghana and Gabon shared vibrant traditions and a common determination to pursue African solutions to African challenges.
“The Africa we envision is one that trades more with itself, invests more in itself and believes more deeply in its own capabilities. That future will not be handed to us; it will be built by us together, step by step,” he said.
President Mahama also accepted an invitation from President Nguema to undertake a reciprocal state visit to Gabon at a later date.
President Nguema expressed appreciation to President Mahama for the warm hospitality and the invitation extended to him and his delegation.
He expressed the hope that Ghana and Gabon would continue to strengthen their friendship and expand cooperation in trade, diplomacy and other areas of mutual interest for the benefit of their peoples.
Among those who attended the dinner were Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Mr Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Chief Justice of Ghana, Mr Justice Komba Kamanda, Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, government officials and members of the diplomatic community in Ghana.
GNA
Edited By Audrey Dekalu