Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto- Ablakwa, has made history as the first African foreign minister to undertake an official visit to Kyrgyzstan.

During the visit, Mr. Ablakwa held high-level talks with President Sadyr Japarov and Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev, where both sides expressed commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between Ghana and Kyrgyzstan.

A key highlight of the visit was the signing of two agreements aimed at deepening cooperation.

The first is a visa waiver arrangement for holders of diplomatic and service passports, with plans to extend the policy to ordinary passport holders in the future.

The second agreement establishes a framework for formal political consultations between the two countries.

The discussions also focused on economic collaboration, particularly in the gold sector, where both nations are significant producers.

Ghana is Africa’s leading gold producer, while Kyrgyzstan is a major player in Central Asia, notably through the Kumtor Gold Mine.

Officials from both countries indicated that the partnership would explore new opportunities for trade and investment, as Ghana seeks to diversify markets for its growing economy.

The engagement further signals a renewed push for South-South cooperation, with Kyrgyzstan recently granted observer status by the African Union.

Mr. Ablakwa expressed appreciation for the warm reception and hospitality extended to the Ghanaian delegation, describing the visit as a significant step towards building a strategic and mutually beneficial partnership between the two nations.