09 Mar 2015

The Ghanaian president's visit will strengthen relations and consolidate socio-economic collaborations between Botswana and Ghana.

Mr John Mahama arrived in Botswana for a three-day state visit on March 9 and will, among other things, officially open Dikgatlhong Dam and tour the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB).

During a state banquet held in honour of Mr Mahama and his entourage, President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama said relations between the two countries dated back from the time Botswana attained independence.

“I am optimistic that this landmark visit will serve to further enhance our relations as our governments re-dedicate themselves to consolidate progress and generate momentum in the socio-economic spheres to improve the lives of our citizens,” said President Khama.

He said the two countries had notable collaboration in various areas such as education, health trade and sport. He said there had been cooperation in defence and military fields, adding that people to people interaction in the private sector had also grown to significant levels.

“Ghana’s contribution to our human resource development has been significant. Botswana has continued to receive from your country professionals such as teachers, administrators, artisans, lawyers and lecturers. This is a true gesture of friendship that we shall forever cherish,” he said. 

President Khama said Botswana stood to benefit from the experience Ghana had in advancing progress indicators across the development spectrum.

“We are happy to note that, today, Ghana is a progressive and open society. The economy is buoyant, with growth and prosperity being fostered by democracy and pluralism as well as forward-looking development policies,” he said.

The President, who also congratulated Mr Mahama for assuming the chairmanship of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said he believed the Ghanaian president’s leadership would be indispensable in finding a peaceful solution to political and security threats currently facing west-Africa and beyond.

He said solutions must be found to conflict and humanitarian situations in a number of African countries which had left a mark of insecurity on the continent.

“Collectively, Africa should continue to stand united in directing a strong message of condemnation of perpetrators of violence and terrorism, and any constitutional action to influence political change. We must do more to address these challenges, as together nothing should be too large to overcome in order to ensure the unity and prosperity of the African people,” the President said.

For his part, President Mahama said he was happy to have paid a reciprocal visit after President Khama paid a state visit to Accra in 2011. He said his government had a programme of economic transformation aimed at building industrial capacity and positioning Ghana as an exporting country.

President Mahama said the project was similar to Botswana’s economic diversification programme and Botswana could benchmark from Ghana. ENDS