The South African High Commissioner to Ghana Ms. Lulama Xingwana says her government is committed to deepening bilateral relations and boosting economic ties with Ghana.
According to Ms. Xingwana, Ghana and South Africa, has a lot in common in the areas of mining, agriculture, transport among others which must be harnessed for the mutual benefit of both countries.
In an interview with the B&FT ahead of the country’s freedom day, on the theme “South Africa & Ghana – a partnership towards growth”, the High Commissioner of South Africa to Ghana Ms. Lulama Xingwana said permanent joint cooperation commission has been put in place and it provides for the deepening of relations between the two countries.
“Trade and Investment ties between the two countries are concretised through the Bilateral Trade Agreement which was signed in October 2000 and which has since been replaced by the Memorandum of Understanding on Economic and Technical Cooperation signed in August 2011.
This is a framework for increased collaboration on trade, investments and technical capacity building between South Africa and Ghana.
The two countries also have a number of other agreements between government agencies that seek to deal with any market access issues that might impede on trade and investment.”
According to the High Commissioner, South Africa and Ghana will continue to cooperate and share experiences, learn from each other in various sectors namely, Science and Technology, Environment, Defense, Transport, Tourism, Arts and Culture, Education to mention but a few.
South Africa celebrates its 23rd Anniversary also known as the “Freedom Day” this year, following the first democratic elections held on 27 April 1994 under the leadership of the father of our nation, the icon of our struggle Isithwalandwe / Seaparankoe Comrade President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
This year’s commemoration according to the High Commission in Ghana, coincides with the centenary anniversary of an illustrious son of South Africa, President Oliver Reginald Tambo, who would have turned 100 years old this year, had he lived.
“This year’s Freedom Day celebration in South Africa will take place at KwaZulu-Natal as part of the annual Freedom Month Campaign under the theme: “The year of OR Tambo: Together deepening democracy and building safer and crime-free communities”.
As part of South Africa’s Freedom Day, President Jacob Zuma will also bestow national orders on citizens and imminent foreigners who have contributed to the achievement of a free, united, non-racial, and prosperous South Africa.
The orders are the highest form of acknowledgement South Africa bestows on distinguished South Africans and foreign nationals,” she said.
In Ghana, the South African High Commission will host the Freedom Day celebration at the Official Residence on the theme “South Africa & Ghana – a partnership towards growth”.
Ghana & South Africa Trade Ties
With investment in Ghana now estimated at 64 billion rands, the trade relations between the two countries has been increasing year-on-year.
Data from the High Commission shows that, in 2015, South Africa’s total trade of goods to Ghana reached R4.23 billion which comprised of exports valued at R4.046 billion, whilst imports were valued at R184 million.
The country also registered a trade surplus of R3.86 billion with Ghana in 2015.
Ms. Xingwana told the B&FT in an interview that, “over the period 2011 – 2015, total trade of goods was R33.26 billion, with exports valued at R17.90 billion and imports valued at R15.36 billion. South Africa registered a trade surplus of R2.53 billion over the period 2011 – 2015.
Both exports and imports fluctuated sporadically over the 2011 – 2015 period. 2011 and 2015 registered the lowest values in South African imports from Ghana.”
South Africa has contributed positively to Ghana’s objective of growth and development through a number of investment projects in Ghana.
Currently there are over 150 South African companies registered in Ghana according to the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre who are employing over 21 000 Ghanaians.
According to the High Commissioner to Ghana in the past 10 years South African companies have expanded their businesses to Ghana and have undertaken over 140 projects which have contributed more than 170 million US Dollars in Capital investment in the country.
She therefore saluted the pioneering South African companies that have expanded their businesses to Ghana and contributed more than 170 million US Dollars in Capital Investment; Stanbic, Group Five, MTN, Multichoice, Shoprite, Game, Edcon, Trellidor, Bigen Africa, WBHO, Mr. Price, Old Mutual and Broll, to name just a few.
Source: B&FT Online