Mnangagwa heads to Ghana

Emmerson Mnangagwa is today expected to embark on a historic State visit to Ghana, a development described as a key milestone in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing Pan-African cooperation.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Amon Murwira said the visit underscores deepening diplomatic engagement between Harare and Accra, with the two countries set to formalise cooperation through a structured Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC).

"This is very historic indeed because it's the first time that a structured, Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation is taking place," Murwira said.

He noted that while Zimbabwe and Ghana have historically collaborated in various sectors, the absence of a formalised framework had limited structured engagement.

During the three-day visit, President Mnangagwa is expected to meet Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama for high-level talks focusing on cooperation in education, agriculture, science and technology, tourism, trade, health, sanitation, anti-corruption efforts and job creation.

The visit will also include the signing and exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to formalise areas of mutual interest.

According to Ghanaian presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, President Mnangagwa will arrive at Accra International Airport today, where he will be received with full military honours, including a guard of honour inspection and a 21-gun salute.

President Mahama is expected to host a State banquet in honour of his visiting counterpart, celebrating long-standing ties between the two nations.

As part of the programme, President Mnangagwa will visit the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre, a leading oncology facility, as well as the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant, where he will observe Ghana's waste management systems.

The visit is also expected to highlight Zimbabwe's ongoing reforms in health and environmental management, including upgrades at major hospitals such as Parirenyatwa in Harare and Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, as well as the Pomona waste-to-energy project.

Mnangagwa will also tour the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, where he is expected to lay a wreath in honour of Ghana's founding president Kwame Nkrumah, a key figure in Pan-Africanism and African liberation history.

The State visit comes as Zimbabwe continues its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term, with officials viewing strengthened African partnerships as part of its broader diplomatic strategy.