Kenya and Ghana have signed seven agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral ties between the two countries. https://rb.gy/knl6f6
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00:28 The purpose of this visit by the Kenyan president
00:32 is to reaffirm the ties of cooperation and the bonds of friendship
00:37 that our two countries attach to our relations with each other,
00:42 especially at this time of great turbulence in global and continental spheres.
00:48 Those relations were forged in colonial times
00:53 in the common struggle of our two peoples
00:56 to free ourselves from the yoke of colonialism and imperialism
01:01 and create the conditions for lives of dignity and freedom for ourselves.
01:08 In each succeeding generation, we rededicated ourselves
01:14 to strengthening the ideals and values that animated that struggle.
01:20 Ghana and Kenya established diplomatic relations shortly after
01:25 and Kenya gained her independence in 1963
01:30 and have been active participants in regional and international fora,
01:35 collaborating on issues of mutual interest such as peacekeeping,
01:40 regional integration, and sustainable development.
01:44 Your Excellency, still on the subject of integration
01:48 and especially in accelerating the free movement of people within our continent,
01:53 I welcome your recent announcement of your commitment
01:56 to remove entry visa requirement for all Africans by December this year.
02:02 This commitment aligns with one of the goals
02:06 of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area
02:08 to create a single market in the continent to drive economic growth,
02:15 grow and create more jobs, and eradicate poverty.
02:22 I have informed President Akufo-Addo that in similar vein,
02:26 Kenya recently removed visa requirements for visitors from all countries,
02:31 with effect from January 1st this year.
02:36 This underscores Kenya's commitment to complement Ghana
02:40 in improving free movement, increasing trade,
02:43 and building a stronger, more united continent.
02:49 The free movement of people between our two countries
02:52 has contributed immensely to trade, investment, and tourism.
02:57 In this respect, His Excellency and I noted
03:00 that trade between Kenya and Ghana is growing.
03:04 In 2022, for example, Kenya's imports to Ghana were valued at 10.4 million US dollars
03:12 and imports were valued at 4.8 million US dollars.
03:18 We have agreed that there remains great potential
03:22 to enhance trade between our two countries,
03:24 especially in the numerous opportunities arising
03:27 from the establishment of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.
03:32 President Akufo-Addo and I are encouraged that under the ACFTA,
03:37 our two countries have taken bold measures to explore these opportunities.
03:42 We recall that in October 2022, I flagged up from Nairobi
03:47 the first consignment of Kenyan tea destined for Ghana.
03:52 On 23rd September 2023, Kenyan-made chloride-excite batteries
03:59 worth about 9.3 Kenyan shillings landed in the Ghanaian port of Tema,
04:05 while Little Cup, a taxi-hailing service from Kenya,
04:10 is now also operational in Ghana.
04:15 My brother and I noted that Ghana Export Promotion Authority
04:19 facilitated Ghanaian business people to undertake a market entry expedition to Kenya
04:25 between May 23rd and 27th last year,
04:30 and consequently the Ghana Trade House was launched in Nairobi.
04:36 Undeniably, this initiative represents a giant step towards greater trade
04:43 within and among various regions and countries
04:46 throughout our continent, spearheaded by Ghana and Kenya.
04:53 [END]
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