By James Amoh Junior, GNA
Accra, Oct. 1, GNA – Ghana and the Kyrgyz Republic have taken steps to deepen bilateral relations, with the two countries identifying agriculture, education, healthcare, mining, digital technology, sports, and climate change as key areas for enhanced cooperation.
At the inaugural session of the Ghana-Kyrgyzstan Political Consultations held in Accra on Thursday, the two reviewed their bilateral relations, exchanged views on regional and international developments, and identified new areas of cooperation.
Ghana and Kyrgyzstan, at the close of consultations, agreed to deepen cooperation in healthcare and education, including the provision of scholarships for students from both countries.
They also agreed to explore agricultural cooperation, particularly in animal husbandry and livestock, an area in which Kyrgyzstan has considerable experience, as well as agricultural mechanisation to support the Government’s Feed Ghana initiative.
Climate change also featured prominently in the discussions, with the two countries agreeing to cooperate in advancing the interests of developing countries in global climate negotiations.
Ghana, which is preparing to lead the African group into COP31 in Türkiye, is expected to work with Kyrgyzstan towards a common framework on climate mitigation and support for vulnerable countries.
The two countries further agreed to strengthen cooperation in sports disciplines that have received limited attention in Ghana but have significant international participation.
Cooperation in digital technology and artificial intelligence was also identified as an emerging area of partnership.
Within the multilateral system, the two sides agreed to promote appropriate regulation and ethical standards for AI, particularly in view of the emerging risks associated with its use, including in warfare.
The consultations also culminated in the signing of three agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.
These are Foreign Service, Works and Housing, and Agriculture, expected to support the Feed Ghana initiative.
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the consultations marked a significant step in the evolution of relations between Ghana and Kyrgyzstan, which were established in 1992 but had remained relatively limited over the years.
He said the growing interaction between the two, including high-level visits and cooperation at the United Nations, had created fresh momentum for a stronger partnership.
“Your Excellency, the relations that remained limited since the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries in 1992 is today evolving,” Mr Ablakwa said.
He welcomed Mr Zheenbek Kulubaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, on his historic first visit to Ghana, and recalled his own visit to Bishkek from March 16 to 17, 2026.
He said the visit had opened new opportunities for engagement between Kyrgyzstan and Africa and expressed optimism that Ghana would become the country’s next diplomatic mission location on the continent.
He said Ghana was particularly grateful to Kyrgyzstan for supporting and co-sponsoring a Ghana-led United Nations resolution on the transatlantic enslavement of Africans.
Mr Ablakwa congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2027-2028 term, saying Ghana was proud to have supported its candidature.
He said the coincidence of Kyrgyzstan joining the Security Council in January 2027 and Ghana assuming the chairmanship of the African Union the same month presented an opportunity for the two countries to coordinate on matters of peace and security.
Ghana, he noted, would draw on its experience as a former Security Council member to support Kyrgyzstan, particularly on African peace and security issues.
Cooperation within the multilateral system were also discussed, including UN reforms and Ghana’s candidature for re-election to the UN Human Rights Council and the International Telecommunication Union, as the International Law Commission.
The Foreign Affairs Minister said the consultations focused on expanding economic and people-to-people relations through trade, investment, education, agriculture, mining, technology, digitalisation and cultural exchanges.
The consultations, he added, had produced practical commitments, stressing that the success of the engagement would ultimately depend on implementation.
“What matters really is the follow-ups, not just signing the agreements and having the political consultations, but seeing them through,” he said.
He said diplomacy must produce tangible benefits for citizens, adding that the Ghana-Kyrgyzstan partnership should be pragmatic and reflected in the lives of the people of both countries.
Mr Kulubaev, on his part, said Kyrgyzstan regarded Ghana as an important partner and expressed the country’s desire to establish Ghana as a gateway to West Africa as it expanded its engagement with Africa.
He said the two countries had identified agriculture, mining, digital technology, tourism and sports as areas where practical cooperation could be developed.
“We hope to build with Ghana a strong and lasting partnership based on our shared values, mutual respect and common interests,” Mr Kulubaev said.
He pledged his country’s support for Ghana’s efforts to strengthening Africa’s role in the international system, and shared Ghana’s position on reform of the UN Security Council, particularly the need to address what he described as the historical injustice against Africa in the global governance system.
Kyrgyzstan would also support Ghana in exploring new opportunities in Eurasia, he noted, and welcomed the invitation extended to his President, Sadyr Japarov, to participate in Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
In turn, he invited President John Dramani Mahama to visit Kyrgyzstan in 2027.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: James Amoh Junior
Email: [email protected]