Morocco and Ghana have reached a landmark agreement to initiate a visa waiver for all categories of travellers from both countries. This significant development was announced by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the agreement will be submitted to the respective parliaments of both nations for ratification in the coming weeks. “This move marks a pivotal step in fostering deeper ties between our nations,” he remarked.
Beyond the visa waiver, the two countries have also committed to enhancing cooperation in key areas, including agribusiness, tourism, and security. Mr. Ablakwa shared these updates following a productive meeting with the Moroccan Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Imane Ouaadil, describing their discussions as “fruitful and assuring.”
During the meeting, the Moroccan Ambassador assured Ghanaians and Africans residing in Morocco of their safety, addressing concerns arising from misleading social media videos. These videos falsely claimed that approximately 700 Africans were being massacred in Morocco. Ambassador Ouaadil clarified that the footage in circulation depicted an old border incident from June 24, 2022, which tragically resulted in the loss of 23 lives. This incident has since been thoroughly investigated by Moroccan and Spanish authorities. Notably, no Ghanaian casualties were reported.
In addition to these reassurances, Ambassador Ouaadil revealed Morocco’s decision to double the number of scholarships awarded to Ghanaian students, increasing from 90 to 180 annually starting this year. This gesture underscores Morocco’s commitment to strengthening educational and cultural ties with Ghana.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Ablakwa also hosted the Russian Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Sergei Berdnikov. Their discussions spanned various areas of bilateral cooperation, emphasizing Ghana’s continued commitment to its foreign policy of positive neutrality. “Ghana remains a steadfast advocate for global peace and will uphold its role as a credible voice in international diplomacy,” the Foreign Minister affirmed.
These engagements highlight Ghana’s proactive approach to fostering meaningful partnerships while promoting peace and development on the global stage.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
