The Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala discussed defence supplies in Ghana and met Czech doctors participating in the MEDEVAC project

Ghana was the penultimate country visited by the Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on 8 and 9 November during his official tour to Sub-Saharan Africa. In Accra, the Prime Minister met Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, with whom he discussed the development of trade relations, in particular in the power supply, mining and health care, as well as the continuation of defence-industrial cooperation. This has been the first visit of a Czech Prime Minister to this West African country ever. The Prime Minister also opened the Ghana-Czech Business Forum, where he supported Czech companies in entering the local market. At the end of the visit, the Prime Minister met the Speaker of the National Assembly of Ghana, Alban Bagbin.

Czech-Ghanaian relations have been pretty outstanding for many years as a result of rich historical ties between the two countries. The industrialisation of the local economy creates potential for the development of mutual cooperation. The Prime Minister had a speech at the opening of the Ghana-Czech Business Forum, which was attended by over 70 Ghanaian businessmen. „Ghana is one of the Czech Republic's key partners in sub-Saharan Africa. For example, Czech companies have been building hospitals and helping to build infrastructure. I can see a great potential for the development of further relations in the mining industry, power generation and defence cooperation, to mention just some of the sectors. I believe that we will be able to take advantage of these opportunities,“ said the Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

Also the defence-industrial cooperation was a key topic of discussions with Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia. Our countries have been partners in the fields of defence and security and the Czech Republic has been supporting the Ghana's defence against the terrorist threat emanating from the region of Sahel. A number of Czech companies from the defence industry have already been active in Ghana, including such activities as the training local pilots, repairing military equipment or other activities. The Czech Prime Minister supported the supply of additional defence equipment. „Currently, we have been working on two major projects: the delivery of six L-39NG aircrafts and Czech-made rifles. We also discussed the new air transport agreement," added Petr Fiala.

Medical aid is one of the Czech Republic's long-term priorities in Ghana. Czech companies have been involved in the construction of hospitals here, including the supply of equipment and staff training. Our MEDEVAC programme has been contributing to the development of the local healthcare system since 2019. The Czech Prime Minister met Czech doctors at the Korle Blu Hospital. „They perform surgeries, of which local doctors are not capable, and at the same time train local doctors. Of course, we want to continue this assistance,“ the Czech Prime Minister added.

On his official tour to sub-Saharan Africa, the Czech Prime Minister has already visited Ethiopia, Kenya and Ghana, and is going to make the last stop in Ivory Coast.