Mexican Ambassador Calls on President-Elect Mahama to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Madam Norma Ang Sánchez, the Mexican Ambassador to Ghana, on Thursday, paid a courtesy call on President-elect John Dramani Mahama at his Cantonment office in Accra to congratulate him on his victory in the December 7 elections.

During the meeting, the ambassador expressed Mexico’s readiness to share its expertise in agriculture, particularly in maize and coconut production, to help Ghana improve its yield. She emphasized the need to deepen bilateral relations, urging Ghana to consider Mexico as a strategic global ally.

Strengthening Cooperation

President-elect Mahama lauded Mexico’s decision to enhance bilateral partnerships by establishing an embassy in Ghana, describing it as a step toward closer cooperation.

“There is a lot of room for us to cooperate and learn from each other because Mexico is in the kind of position that Ghana is in; we are all developing countries. We face the same headwinds in our relations with the advanced countries,” Mahama said.

He stressed the importance of solidarity between the two nations to amplify their voices on the global stage and highlighted the benefits Ghana could derive from Mexico’s expertise in rural development, housing, and agriculture.

Tackling Agricultural Challenges

Mahama underscored the need to modernize Ghana’s agricultural sector, particularly by transforming small-scale farming into medium-scale enterprises.

On maize production, he addressed challenges such as low quality and aflatoxin control, citing Mexico’s expertise as a potential solution. “We used to supply maize to the World Food Programme, but due to high aflatoxin levels, they stopped buying from us. This is an area where we can learn from Mexico,” he said.

He also highlighted the need to reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported poultry, which costs the country $500 million annually. Through technology exchanges with Mexico, Mahama aims to boost local poultry production for both domestic and export markets.

Reviving the Coconut Industry

Mahama spoke about the devastating impact of the Cape Saint Paul Wilt Disease on Ghana’s coconut plantations, which has left many families without income. He expressed optimism about learning from Mexico’s experience in combating similar challenges and adding value to coconut products, including fibre.

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

Addressing Ghana’s position within the AfCFTA, Mahama noted the trade bloc’s potential to foster tariff-free trade among African nations. He outlined plans to attract technology and investors to establish Ghana as a manufacturing hub for exports across the continent.

Exchange of State Visits

To strengthen ties, Mahama proposed an exchange of visits between himself and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to explore business opportunities. He suggested Ghana could be President Sheinbaum’s first stop in Africa.

“This exchange would open doors for greater cooperation and mutual benefits between our two countries,” he said.

The meeting underscores Ghana’s commitment to leveraging international partnerships to drive economic transformation and development.