The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, has hosted the British High Commissioner to Ghana, His Excellency Christian Rogg, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties between Ghana and the United Kingdom.

The meeting, held on Monday, focused on assessing the growing bilateral relations between the two countries and aligning priority areas of cooperation for 2026 in line with the vision of President John Dramani Mahama.

According to the Minister, Ghana and the United Kingdom have begun processes aimed at elevating their relationship to a Strategic Partnership.

Discussions identified several key sectors for deeper collaboration, including security, trade, job creation, health, education, governance, and constitutional review.

Mr. Okudzeto-Ablakwa also called for the establishment of a government-to-government framework to protect the welfare and improve the working conditions of Ghanaian professionals, particularly health practitioners who work or aspire to work in the United Kingdom.

Additionally, the Foreign Affairs Minister appealed for Ghanaian students and professionals to be exempted from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) requirement and its associated fees, noting that English has long been Ghana’s official medium of instruction.

The meeting concluded on a light-hearted note, with the Minister expressing confidence in Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, and promising to host the British High Commissioner in North Tongu for a traditional meal of akple and fetri detsi should Ghana defeat England at a future World Cup encounter.

The engagement underscored the commitment of both countries to deepening cooperation and strengthening longstanding ties for mutual benefit.