Ghana and the United Kingdom: A modern partnership for a better world
I am in Ghana for the second time in my role as the UK minister for Development and Africa. My visit comes on the heels of Britain’s recently published plan for international development, which focuses on the different ways we can work together to help both our countries thrive.
I was very grateful to President Akufo-Addo for saying he “welcomes the UK’s recognition of a new, more equal partnership with Ghana and Africa, and the need for African voices to be heard.” That is high praise indeed.
But what does this all mean? The White Paper sets out the UK’s strategy for working towards a better world, tackling global challenges such as climate change and eliminating global discrimination and poverty. Development is more than just throwing money at a problem to solve; it’s about working as partners to ensure that everyone has the chance to achieve their full potential in society and to thrive on their terms, with good health, good education, and good prospects.
Partnership is everything. The UK will continue to build cooperation with Ghana because it’s the smart thing to do. We live in a connected world facing multiple problems, which no one country can solve on its own. The beauty is that every country has something different to bring to the table; every country can play a unique part in improving the bigger picture.
Ghana is already taking a leading role in tackling global issues that will benefit us all, such as working to improve international financial institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) to unlock more funding to help protect countries on the front line of climate change from its worst effects.
On the topic of reform, the UK is playing its part as well, including calling for permanent African representation at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Over the last two years, Ghana has been on the UN Security Council during a time of significant turmoil globally, from Africa to Europe and more recently in the Middle East.
During all of this, Ghana has been a determined leader for the continent. A recent example is Ghana’s hosting of the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference in December, working to prevent conflict and the dreadful impacts it can bring. I have no doubt this leadership and our partnership will continue, including through Ghana’s membership of the Human Rights Council which commences this year.
Our partnership is already bearing fruit. When I visited Ghana just over a year ago, I saw an excellent project, working with the Ministry of Trade and Industry to support investment into Ghana’s auto sector. That’s great for Ghana – but it is also great for the UK. Just last week a delegation from the UK’s auto sector visited Ghana to look for opportunities to invest. Time and again I make the argument that our spending on development overseas is fantastic value for money: our prosperity and security are best served by a Ghana that is itself strong, prosperous, and safe.
Another exciting partnership is in the science space. Last year we found an incredible number of areas where British and Ghanaian scientists and researchers have worked together. Some of these areas were funded by development assistance, but many were not: UK researchers and universities are busy competing with other countries for the attention of Ghana’s scientists and innovators. The world needs Ghana’s scientists and its expertise – from developing malaria vaccines to shaping how Artificial Intelligence is changing our world.
I am proud that the UK and Ghana relationship is going from strength to strength. Coming to countries like Ghana is not a break from the world’s biggest issues. It’s where we come to solve them.
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Andrew John Bower Mitchell is a British politician currently serving as the Minister of State for Development and Africa since 2022.