Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to strengthening economic and diplomatic relations with Ghana, identifying energy, critical minerals, trade and development as key areas for deeper bilateral cooperation. Editorial Standards
Carney gave the assurance during a bilateral meeting with President John Dramani Mahama on the sidelines of the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda.
The discussions focused on opportunities to expand cooperation between the two countries amid changing global economic conditions and growing calls for stronger international partnerships.
According to Ghana’s Presidency, the Canadian Prime Minister expressed Canada’s readiness to work closely with Ghana in sectors considered essential to economic growth, industrial development and sustainable investment.
The engagement forms part of President Mahama’s diplomatic activities at the Commonwealth summit, where he has been holding discussions with international leaders to strengthen Ghana’s foreign relations and attract partnerships that support national development.
Carney’s remarks also reflect Canada’s growing interest in expanding its economic engagement with African countries, particularly in sectors that offer opportunities for investment, technology transfer and access to emerging markets.
Energy and critical minerals emerge as priorities
One of the major areas identified during the discussions was energy, with both countries recognising the importance of cooperation in developing sustainable and reliable energy systems.
For Ghana, stronger engagement with Canada could create opportunities to attract investment, technical expertise and modern technologies to support the country’s energy transition.
The government has been pursuing initiatives to diversify electricity generation, improve energy efficiency and strengthen the infrastructure needed to support industrial expansion.
Canadian expertise and investment could potentially support renewable energy projects, clean technology development and other initiatives aimed at improving Ghana’s energy security.
Critical minerals also featured prominently in the discussions. Editorial Ethics & Independence
Ghana possesses significant mineral resources, including gold and other minerals with potential applications in modern industrial production and emerging technologies.
The country has increasingly emphasised the importance of moving beyond the export of raw materials towards local processing, value addition and the development of industries that create employment.
Closer cooperation with Canada could provide opportunities for technical partnerships, responsible mining practices, geological exploration and investment in mineral processing.
For Ghana, the objective will be to ensure that international partnerships deliver measurable benefits through local employment, skills development, technology transfer and increased participation by domestic businesses.
Ghana and Canada seek to expand trade relations
Trade remains another important pillar of the growing relationship between the two countries.
During their meeting, Mahama and Carney acknowledged the significant improvement in bilateral merchandise trade, which increased by 50 per cent in 2025.
Canadian exports to Ghana also recorded a 35 per cent increase during the same period, according to the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office.
The figures demonstrate the growing commercial relationship between the two countries and provide a foundation for further economic cooperation.
The leaders also welcomed the recent signing of a Letter of Intent intended to guide discussions towards a broader Canada-Ghana economic cooperation framework. Newscard
Once established, the proposed framework is expected to create commercial opportunities for businesses and investors in both countries, particularly in renewable energy, mining, critical minerals and infrastructure development.
It is important to note that the Letter of Intent is a step towards developing the broader framework and does not mean a comprehensive trade agreement has already been concluded.
The proposed arrangement could nevertheless help identify investment opportunities, strengthen business relationships and encourage private sector participation in both economies.
Ghanaian businesses could benefit from improved access to Canadian markets, partnerships with international companies and opportunities to expand the export of processed agricultural and mineral products.
Mahama calls for stronger global cooperation
Beyond bilateral economic relations, President Mahama used the engagement to advocate stronger international cooperation and reforms to the global financial system.
He highlighted the importance of multilateralism and a rules-based international order, arguing that countries such as Ghana and Canada could work more closely to address challenges affecting developing economies.
The President also commended Carney for his position on the changing international order and his willingness to speak openly about the challenges facing global cooperation.
Mahama argued that African countries continue to face structural disadvantages within the international financial architecture, particularly regarding borrowing costs, access to development financing and the effects of climate change.
He encouraged Canada to support Africa’s calls for reforms that would make international financial institutions more responsive to the needs of developing countries. Corrections Policy
Carney’s willingness to strengthen engagement with Ghana therefore presents an opportunity to deepen cooperation beyond commercial interests and address shared concerns involving development, international trade and global economic stability.
A broader partnership beyond traditional development assistance
The latest engagement builds on diplomatic discussions held between Ghanaian and Canadian officials in October 2026.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa previously held discussions with Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand in Ottawa, focusing on trade, investment, education, agriculture, infrastructure and other areas of mutual interest.
The two countries have also explored cooperation in youth skills development, labour mobility, digital literacy and technical education.
Canada has further indicated support for Ghana’s proposed Women’s Development Bank through technical assistance, creating another opportunity to strengthen economic participation and access to finance. Privacy Policy & Terms
These engagements demonstrate a shared interest in developing a relationship that combines traditional development cooperation with commercial investment and private sector partnerships.
For Ghana, the priority will be converting Canada’s assurances into practical projects that support job creation, industrialisation and economic growth.
Although the latest discussions do not represent completed investment agreements, Carney’s commitment signals an encouraging direction for bilateral relations.
As both countries continue their diplomatic engagement, the proposed economic cooperation framework could provide an important platform for transforming their longstanding relationship into a stronger commercial partnership.
With energy, critical minerals, trade and development identified as priority areas, Ghana will be looking to ensure that future cooperation produces tangible benefits for businesses, workers and the wider economy.