Foreign relations of Ghana

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The foreign relations of Ghana are controlled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana. Ghana is active in the United Nations and many of its specialised agencies, the World Trade Organization, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States. Ghana generally follows the consensus of the Non-aligned Movement and the OAU on economic and political issues not directly affecting its own interests. Ghana has been extremely active in international peacekeeping activities under UN auspices in Lebanon, Afghanistan, Rwanda, and the Balkans, in addition to an eight-year sub-regional initiative with its ECOWAS partners to develop and then enforce a cease-fire in Liberia. Ghana is also a member of the International Criminal Court.

Guiding principles and objectives

Ghana's foreign policy since independence has been characterised by a commitment to the principles and ideals of non-alignment and Pan-Africanism as first enunciated by Kwame Nkrumah in the early 1960s. For Nkrumah, non-alignment meant complete independence from the policies and alliances of both East and West and support for a worldwide union of so-called non-aligned nations as a counter to both East and West power blocs. Pan-Africanism, by contrast, was a specifically African policy that envisioned the independence of Africa from Western colonialism and the eventual economic and political unity of the African continent.[1]

The PNDC, like most of its predecessors, made serious and consistent attempts at the practical application of these ideals and principles, and its successor, the NDC government, promises to follow in the PNDC's footsteps. Under the NDC, Ghana remains committed to the principle of non-alignment in world politics. Ghana is also opposed to interference in the internal affairs of both small and large countries. This is a departure from Nkrumah's foreign policy approach; Nkrumah was frequently accused of subverting African regimes, such as Togo and Ivory Coast, which he considered ideologically conservative. The NDC government, like the PNDC before it, believes in the principle of self-determination, including the right to political independence and the right of people to pursue their economic and social development free from external interference. Another feature of NDC rule carried over from the PNDC era is faithfulness to what a leading scholar of Africa has called "one of the most successful neoclassical economic reform efforts supported by the IMF and the World Bank."[1]

Kwame Nkrumah and his family meeting Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser during the 1965 OAU Summit in Accra.

The broad objectives of Ghana's foreign policy thus include maintaining friendly relations and cooperation with all countries that desire such cooperation, irrespective of ideological considerations, on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. Africa and its liberation and unity are naturally the cornerstones of Ghana's foreign policy. As a founding member of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), NDC policy is to adhere faithfully to the OAU Charter.[1]

Another important principle of Ghana's foreign policy involves the closest possible cooperation with neighbouring countries with which the people of Ghana share cultural history, ties of blood, and economics. The results have included various bilateral trade and economic agreements and permanent joint commissions involving Ghana and its immediate neighbours, sometimes in the face of latent ideological and political differences and mutual suspicion, as well as numerous reciprocal state visits by high-ranking officials. These measures have contributed significantly to subregional cooperation, development, and the reduction of tension.[1]

Diplomatic missions of Ghana

As an example of Ghana's interest in regional cooperation, the country enthusiastically endorsed formation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 1975. This organisation was created specifically to foster inter-regional economic and political cooperation. It has served as a useful vehicle for contacts with neighbouring West African governments and for channelling increased Ghanaian exports to regional markets. Since 1990 ECOWAS has been engaged in a peacekeeping mission in Liberia to which Ghana has contributed a large contingent of troops. Ghana has participated in other international peacekeeping efforts as well, sending soldiers to operations of the United Nations (UN) in Cambodia in 1992-93 and Rwanda in 1993–94.[1]

In August 1994, Rawlings became ECOWAS chairman, a post that had eluded him since the PNDC came to power. He immediately undertook several initiatives to reduce tensions and conflict in West Africa. Notable among them was the Akosombo Accord of 12 September, designed to end civil war in Liberia.[1]

Diplomatic relations

List of Countries which Ghana maintains diplomatic relations with:

More information #, Country ...
# Country Date
1 United Kingdom 6 March 1957[2]
2 India 6 March 1957[3]
3 Japan 6 March 1957[4]
4 Philippines 6 March 1957[5]
5 United States 6 March 1957[2]
6 Liberia 14 March 1957[2]
7 France March 1957[2]
8 Germany 24 June 1957[6]
9 Canada 30 October 1957[7]
10 Israel October 1957[8]
11 Egypt 7 November 1957[9]
12 Russia 15 January 1958[10]
13 Australia 21 February 1958[11]
14 Tunisia 11 June 1958[12]
15 Pakistan 1 September 1958[13]
16 Turkey 30 October 1958[14]
17 Guinea January 1959[2]
18 Serbia 10 January 1959[15]
19 Netherlands 20 January 1959[2]
20 Lebanon 30 March 1959[16][17]
21 Ethiopia 10 April 1959[2]
22 Sudan 24 June 1959[2]
23 Indonesia 2 September 1959[18]
24 Cuba 23 December 1959[19]
25 Poland 31 December 1959[20]
26 Belgium 13 January 1960[2]
27 Libya 1 February 1960[2]
28 Brazil 2 March 1960[21]
29 Saudi Arabia 30 March 1960[2]
30 Iraq 21 April 1960[2]
31 Morocco 3 June 1960[22]
32 China 5 July 1960[23]
33 Democratic Republic of the Congo 15 July 1960[2]
34  Switzerland 19 July 1960[24]
35 Nigeria 1 October 1960[25]
36 Mali 14 October 1960[26]
37 Italy 8 November 1960[27]
38 Czech Republic 18 January 1961[28]
39 Sri Lanka 24 January 1961[2]
40 Somalia 25 February 1961[29]
41 Haiti February 1961[30]
42 Ivory Coast 15 March 1961[31]
43 Argentina 28 March 1961[32]
44 Senegal 21 April 1961[2]
45 Sierra Leone 27 April 1961[33]
46 Burkina Faso 12 June 1961[2]
47 Hungary 29 July 1961[34]
48 Afghanistan 2 August 1961[35]
49 Mexico 8 August 1961[36]
50 Bulgaria 10 August 1961[37]
51 Romania 10 August 1961[38]
52 Albania 17 August 1961[39][40]
53 Niger 24 August 1961[41]
54 Denmark 28 September 1961[42]
55 Chile 6 October 1961[43]
56 Tanzania 4 January 1962[44][45]
57 Sweden 27 April 1962[46]
58 Benin 20 June 1962[47]
59 Togo 21 January 1963[2]
60 Algeria 2 May 1963[48]
61 Uganda 1 August 1963[49]
62 Cameroon 20 August 1963[50]
63 Kenya 12 December 1963[2]
64 Republic of the Congo 8 February 1964[51]
65 Trinidad and Tobago 1 March 1964[52]
66 Malawi 8 July 1964[53]
67 Burundi 25 August 1964[54]
68 Zambia 30 November 1964[55]
69 North Korea 28 December 1964[56]
70 Venezuela 16 March 1965[57]
71 Vietnam 25 March 1965[58]
72 Mauritania 6 April 1965[59]
73 Norway 19 May 1965[60]
74 Gambia 28 May 1965[61]
75 Mongolia 7 December 1965[62]
76 Rwanda 1965[2]
77 Lesotho 24 November 1966[63]
78 Malaysia 29 March 1967[64]
79 Central African Republic 14 June 1967[65]
80 Chad 23 July 1967[66]
81 Spain 10 November 1967[67]
82 Austria 23 December 1967[68][69]
83 Luxembourg 21 February 1968[70]
84 Jamaica 8 May 1968[71]
85 Equatorial Guinea 4 June 1971[72]
86 Greece 31 July 1973[73]
87 Malta 27 February 1974[74]
88 Iran 7 July 1974[75]
89 Bangladesh 19 July 1974[76]
90 Kuwait 1974[77]
91 Portugal 27 May 1975[78]
92 Botswana 28 October 1975[79]
— Holy See 20 November 1975[80]
93 Suriname 24 November 1975[81]
94 Angola 8 October 1976[82]
95 Papua New Guinea 22 August 1977[83]
96 Cape Verde 4 October 1977[84]
97 Iceland 11 October 1977[85]
98 South Korea 14 November 1977[86]
99 Finland 1 December 1977[87]
100 Bahrain 9 April 1978[88]
101 Mozambique 27 June 1978[89]
102 Eswatini June 1978[90]
103 Ecuador 12 May 1979[91]
104 Guyana 14 May 1979[92]
105 Zimbabwe 29 October 1980[93]
106 Qatar 25 July 1981[94]
107 United Arab Emirates 25 August 1981[95][96]
108 Belize September 1981[97]
109 Gabon September 1981[98]
110 Uruguay 24 May 1982[99]
111 Nicaragua March 1983[100]
112 Thailand 25 October 1985[101]
113 Peru 23 June 1987[102]
114 Bolivia 3 December 1987[103]
115 Colombia 23 June 1988[102]
116 Seychelles 10 October 1988[102]
— State of Palestine 17 February 1989[104]
117 Panama 24 February 1989[105]
118 Oman 1 March 1989[106]
119 Cyprus 5 May 1989[107]
120 Maldives 10 August 1989[102]
121 Singapore 11 October 1989[108]
122 Namibia 21 March 1990[109]
123 Ireland 1990[110]
124 Brunei 10 December 1991[111]
125 Latvia 3 January 1992[112]
126 Estonia 5 February 1992[113]
127 Belarus 5 May 1992[114]
128 Armenia 29 May 1992[115]
129 Ukraine 17 June 1992[116]
130 Kyrgyzstan 26 June 1992[117]
131 Lithuania 10 July 1992[118]
132 Kazakhstan 14 August 1992[119]
133 Moldova 28 August 1992[120]
134 Azerbaijan 11 September 1992[121]
135 Turkmenistan 17 September 1992[122]
136 Georgia 4 December 1992[123]
137 Slovenia 15 February 1993[124]
138 Croatia 17 February 1993[125]
139 Saint Kitts and Nevis June 1993[126]
140 Slovakia 1 October 1993[127]
141 Uzbekistan 28 October 1993[128]
142 Tajikistan 2 November 1993[129]
143 South Africa 6 May 1994[130]
144 Barbados August 1994[131]
145 Guatemala 26 September 1994[132]
146 Myanmar 13 January 1995[133]
147 Cambodia 24 May 1995[134]
148 Yemen 30 November 1995[135]
149 North Macedonia 7 February 1996[136]
150 New Zealand 23 June 1999[137]
151 Costa Rica 11 July 2000[138]
152 Timor-Leste 20 May 2002[139]
153 Mauritius 18 August 2003[140]
154 Eritrea 26 August 2004[141]
155 Bahamas 12 September 2005[142]
156 Jordan 5 June 2007[143]
157 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1 August 2008[144]
158 San Marino 5 November 2008[145]
159 Andorra 31 March 2011[146]
160 Honduras 29 August 2011[147]
161 Djibouti 12 March 2012[148]
162 Montenegro 20 September 2012[102]
— Kosovo 4 October 2012[149]
163 Fiji 12 October 2012[150]
164 Bosnia and Herzegovina 13 February 2013[102]
165 South Sudan 15 September 2014[151]
166 Comoros 5 July 2015[152]
167 Dominica 18 January 2018[102]
168 Dominican Republic 23 September 2019[102]
169   Nepal 25 September 2019[102]
170 Monaco 26 September 2019[102]
171 Laos 27 September 2019[153]
172 Liechtenstein 19 December 2019[102]
173 Samoa 20 December 2019[102]
174 Antigua and Barbuda Before March 2020[154]
175 Paraguay 17 June 2021[155]
176 São Tomé and Príncipe 13 June 2023[156]
177 El Salvador 18 September 2023[157]
— Cook Islands 8 November 2023[158]
178 Guinea-Bissau 7 December 2023[159]
179 Grenada 15 February 2024[160][161]
180 Madagascar 24 September 2024[162]
181 Saint Lucia 24 September 2024[102]
182 Syria Unknown[citation needed]
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Bilateral relations

Africa

More information Country, Formal Relations Began ...
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
Burkina Faso12 June 1961See Burkina Faso–Ghana relations

With the coming to power of Thomas Sankara in Burkina Faso in 1983, relations between Ghana and Burkina became both warm and close. Indeed, Rawlings and Sankara began discussions about uniting Ghana and Burkina in the manner of the defunct Ghana-Guinea-Mali Union, which Nkrumah had sought unsuccessfully to promote as a foundation for his dream of unified continental government. Political and economic ties between Ghana and Burkina, a poorer country, were strengthened through joint commissions of cooperation and through border demarcation committee meetings. Frequent high-level consultations and joint military exercises, meant to discourage potential dissidents and to protect young "revolutions" in each country, were fairly regular features of Ghana-Burkina relations.[163]

  • Burkina Faso has an embassy in Accra.
  • Ghana has an embassy in Ouagadougou.
Guinea1958
Ivory Coast15 March 1961See Ivory Coast–Ghana relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 March 1961.[31]

Ghana-Ivory Coast relations suffered from the same ups and downs that characterised Ghana-Togo relations. In early 1984, the PNDC government complained that Ivory Coast was allowing Ghanaian dissidents to use its territory as a base from which to carry out acts of sabotage against Ghana. Ghana also accused Ivory Coast of granting asylum to political agitators wanted for crimes in Ghana. Relations between Ghana and Ivory Coast improved significantly, however, after 1988. In 1989, after fifteen years of no progress, the Ghana-Ivory Coast border re-demarcation commission finally agreed on the definition of the 640-kilometer border between the two countries. The PNDC thereafter worked to improve the transportation and communication links with both Ivory Coast and Togo, despite problems with both countries.[166]

  • Ghana has an embassy in Abidjan.
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Accra.
Kenya16 December 1963See Ghana–Kenya relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 December 1963.

  • Ghana has a high commission in Nairobi.
  • Kenya has a high commission in Accra.
Nigeria1 October 1960See Ghana–Nigeria relations

Ghana set up a commission in 1959 when Nigeria was still a dependent territory. This was elevated to High Commission status on the attainment of Nigeria's independence on 1 October 1960[167]

Despite close cultural ties, diplomatic relations between the two countries have in many instances been volatile. After the takeover in November 1993 by General Sani Abacha as the new Nigerian head of state, Ghana and Nigeria continued to consult on economic, political, and security issues affecting the two countries and West Africa as a whole. Between early August 1994 when Rawlings became ECOWAS chairman and the end of the following October, the Ghanaian president visited Nigeria three times to discuss the peace process in Liberia and measures to restore democracy in that country.[1]

  • Ghana has a high commission in Abuja and a consulate-general in Lagos.
  • Nigeria has a high commission in Accra.
South Africa6 May 1994See Ghana–South Africa relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 May 1994[168]

High Commission of Ghana in Pretoria
  • Ghana has a high commission in Pretoria.
  • South Africa has a high commission in Accra.
Togo21 January 1963See Ghana–Togo relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 January 1963.[169]

The strains in Ghana-Togo relations stretch back to pre-independence days. After 1918, following the defeat of Germany, the League of Nations divided the German colony of Togoland from north to south, a decision that divided the Ewe people among the Gold Coast, British Togoland, and French Togoland. After 1945, the United Nations took over the Togoland mandates. During the 1950s, when the independence of Ghana was in sight, demands grew for a separate Ewe state, an idea that Kwame Nkrumah, leader of the Gold Coast independence movement, opposed. Following a UN plebiscite in May 1956, in which a majority of the Ewe voted for union with Ghana, British Togoland became part of the Gold Coast.[1][170] After Togolese independence in 1960, relations between Togo and Ghana deteriorated, aggravated by political differences and incidents such as smuggling across their common border. At times, relations have verged on open aggression.[166] The result of the transfer of Togoland to Ghana has meant that many Togolese keep one foot on either side of the border, living in Ghana by night and working in the markets of the capital, Lomé, by day.[170]

  • Ghana has an embassy in Lomé.
  • Togo has an embassy in Accra.
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Americas

More information Country, Formal Relations Began ...
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
Brazil2 January 1961
President of Ghana John Kufuor with President of Brazil Lula da Silva
  • Brazil has an embassy in Accra.
  • Ghana has an embassy in Brasília.
Chile6 October 1961Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 October 1961[43]
  • Chile has an embassy in Accra.
  • Ghana is accredited to Chile from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
Colombia23 June 1988

See Colombia–Ghana relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 June 1988[171]

Ghana and Colombia's diplomatic relations dated back to 1988 but it remained dormant until July 2013 when Colombia opened its embassy in Accra. Colombia helps Ghana by providing assistance on building capacity of the Ghana Police Service, Immigration Service and the Narcotics Control Board on cybersecurity and drug trafficking.[172]

  • Colombia has an embassy in Accra.
  • Ghana is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
Jamaica8 May 1968See Ghana–Jamaica relations
  • Ghana is accredited to Jamaica from its embassy in Havana, Cuba.
  • Jamaica is accredited to Ghana from its high commission in Abuja, Nigeria.
Mexico8 August 1961See Ghana–Mexico relations

Ghana and Mexico established diplomatic relations on 8 August 1961.[36] Soon afterwards, both nations opened embassies in each other's capitals, respectively. In 1972, Ghana closed its embassy in Mexico City. Mexico closed its embassy in Accra in 1980.[173] Mexico re-opened its embassy in Ghana in 2013.

Peru23 June 1987
Main article: Ghana–Peru relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 June 1987[176]

  • Ghana is accredited to Peru from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
  • Peru has an embassy in Accra.
Suriname1 April 1977See: Ghana-Suriname relations
  • Accra currently hosts the only Surinamese embassy in Africa.[177]
United States6 March 1957See Ghana–United States relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 March 1957[178]

The United States is among Ghana's trading partners. The Office of the President of Ghana worked closely with the U.S. Embassy in Accra to establish an American Chamber of Commerce to continue to develop closer economic ties in the private sector. Major U.S. companies operating in the country include ACS, CMS Energy, Coca-Cola, S.C. Johnson, Ralston Purina, Star-Kist, A.H. Robins, Sterling, Pfizer, IBM, 3M, Motorola, Stewart & Stevenson, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and National Cash Register (NCR). Several U.S. firms recently made or are considering investments in Ghana, primarily in gold mining, wood products, and petroleum. U.S. mining giant Newmont entered Ghana's mining sector in 2004 and intends to invest up to $1 billion. In late 1997, Nuevo Petroleum concluded an oil exploration agreement accounting for one of Ghana's offshore mineral rights zones. Several other U.S. oil companies also are engaged in offshore exploration.

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Asia

More information Country, Formal Relations Began ...
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
Bangladesh19 July 1974See Bangladesh–Ghana relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 July 1974 when Bangladesh High Commissioner to Ghana presented his credentials to the Head of State Colonel I. K. Acheampong.[179]

  • Bangladesh is accredited to Ghana from its high commission in Abuja, Nigeria.
  • Ghana is accredited to Bangladesh from its high commission in New Delhi, India.
China5 July 1960See China–Ghana relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 July 1960.[23]

Ghana's relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC) date back to 1960 when President Nkrumah became one of Africa's first leaders to recognise the country. Ghana and the PRC have had close and relatively good relations in that time despite a short period of relatively cold relations after Nkrumah was deposed in 1966.

  • China has an embassy in Accra.
  • Ghana has an embassy in Beijing.
India6 March 1957See Ghana–India relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 March 1957.[180]

  • Ghana has a high commission in New Delhi.
  • India has a high commission in Accra.
Israel6 March 1957, severed 28 October 1973, restored 9 August 1994See Ghana–Israel relations
  • Ghana has an embassy in Tel Aviv.
  • Israel has an embassy in Accra.
Malaysia5 December 1966See Ghana–Malaysia relations
  • Ghana has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Malaysia has a high commission in Accra.
Pakistan1958

Pakistan and Ghana enjoy amicable and cordial relations. There has been historical support extended by Pakistan to the African states particularly OIC member states in which Ghana has significant importance. Despite this, there has been a low level of bilateral trade between the two countries. The volume of bilateral trade during 2011 was just $19 million.[181]

  • Ghana is accredited to Pakistan from its embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  • Pakistan has a high commission in Accra.
Palestine29 November 1988See Ghana–Palestine relations
  • Palestine has an embassy in Accra.
Turkey1958See Ghana–Turkey relations
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Europe

More information Country, Formal Relations Began ...
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
Denmark28 September 1961See Denmark–Ghana relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 September 1961 when was accredited first Ambassador of Denmark to Ghana Mr. Hans Adolf Biering[42]

Denmark has historic relations with Ghana from once possessing Danish Gold Coast.

  • Denmark has an embassy in Accra.
  • Ghana has an embassy in Copenhagen.
France7 July 1957

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 July 1957.

  • France has an embassy in Accra.
  • Ghana has an embassy in Paris.
Germany24 June 1957See Germany–Ghana relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 June 1957.

  • Germany has an embassy in Accra.
  • Ghana has an embassy in Berlin.
Poland31 December 1959Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 December 1959[20]
  • Ghana is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
  • Poland is accredited to Ghana from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.
Russia14 January 1958See Ghana–Russia relations
Spain10 November 1967See Ghana–Spain relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 November 1967[183]

  • Ghana has an embassy in Madrid.
  • Spain has an embassy in Accra.
United Kingdom6 March 1957See Ghana–United Kingdom relations
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond with Ghanaian Hanna Tetteh in London, May 2015.

Ghana established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 6 March 1957.[184][failed verification]

The UK governed Ghana from 1821 to 1957, when Ghana achieved full independence.

Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic Co-operation Pact,[187] the Commonwealth, the International Criminal Court, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have a Development Partnership,[188] an Interim Trade Partnership Agreement,[189] a High Level Prosperity Partnership,[190] and an Investment Agreement.[191]

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Ghana and the Commonwealth of Nations

Recipient of the 2008 Chatham House Prize and 10th President of Ghana John Kufuor with Prince Philip, the Husband of the Head of the Commonwealth and Queen of the United Kingdom, Elizabeth II.

Ghana has been a member state of the Commonwealth since independence in 1957, firstly as a Dominion, then as a republic in the Commonwealth of Nations.

See also

References

External links

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