Ghana and the Netherlands yesterday opened political consultations on matters of mutual benefit for both countries.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed to that effect seeks to enhance cooperation between the two countries in areas of Security and Defence, Migration and Development, Trade and Investment, Agriculture, Science and Technology.

Others are; Environment and Climate Change, Education, Culture and Training and improving cooperation within the United Nations (UN) System.

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFARI), Ramses Cleland, and the Deputy Director, Sub-Sahara Africa Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Ms. Martine Hoogstraten signed the agreement respectively.

In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Cleland stressed the long-standing diplomatic relations between Ghana and the Netherlands across various sectors of the economy.

He mentioned trade and investment as a major area of interest where Ghana exports to the Netherlands primary and semi-finished goods including cocoa beans, cocoa butter, cocoa paste, cocoa powder and crude petroleum, whereas imports from the Netherlands comprise refined petroleum, poultry meat, excavation machinery, packaged medicaments, among others.

For instance he indicated that Ghana recorded a balance of trade from 2016 to 2019 with a trade surplus of $406 million dollars in 2018.

“This favourable position could be attributed to the increase in the export of Ghana’s crude oil to the Netherlands. In 2019, Ghana recorded a positive trade balance of $734.8 million dollars with estimated exports of $966.3 million dollars to the Netherlands.

This figure however decreased to $759.7 million dollars in 2020, whilst the Netherlands exports to Ghana increased from $231.5 million dollars in 2019 to $876.5 million dollars in 2020, recording a surplus of $116.8 million dollars.”

Mr Cleland said in line with pursuing the “Ghana beyond aid agenda”, the country would continue to rely on the assistance of the Netherlands in implementing flagship programmes like the “One-District, One-Factory” and the development of strategic anchor industries.

He cited projects like vehicle assembling, manufacturing of machinery and machine components, pharmaceuticals, textiles & garments, integrated aluminium industry, iron and steel, industrial chemicals, oil palm, industrial starch and downstream petrochemical industry.

“Your support will also be key in implementing the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement and Agenda 111, aimed at creating 111 health facilities in Ghana to ensure that Ghanaians nationwide have access to quality healthcare services,” he stated.

The Chief Director noted that with the Netherland’s key position within the European Union “and with our excellent democratic credentials and a vibrant economy, more companies from the Netherlands should be interested in trading and investing in Ghana.”

“It is our hope that this consultations further consolidates Ghana’s relations with the Netherlands with a view to enhancing a number of mutually beneficial partnerships and cooperation that positively impact our peoples and two countries,” he said.

Ms. Hoogstraten, the Deputy Director, Sub-Sahara Africa Department, expressed her country’s commitment to not only strengthen cooperation with Ghana but the African Union at large.

“Netherlands plays an important role within the European Union, creating a stronger and safer economy and we have an idea of how to improve the EU and Ghana relations and the African Union at large.

I am happy that to hear that there is more room for Dutch investment and businesses in Ghana and we hope such consultations are done more often to build on our existing relations,” she stated.