In a warm farewell on June 12, President John Dramani Mahama thanked outgoing British High Commissioner Harriet Thompson for her dedicated service over the past four years, while highlighting key priorities for deepening Ghana-United Kingdom relations in the future.
President Mahama praised the High Commissioner’s “positive engagements” and reflected on the solid historical partnership between Ghana and the UK, describing the relationship as “so far so good.” However, he stressed that moving forward, both countries must focus on strengthening economic cooperation and trade beyond traditional development assistance, which is becoming less common in today’s shifting global landscape.
Recognizing the evolving challenges faced by developing nations, President Mahama underlined Ghana’s need to strategically reposition itself to attract more meaningful partnerships. He also expressed appreciation for the UK’s ongoing support in counter-terrorism efforts, particularly in intelligence collaboration and training, emphasizing the importance of this cooperation for national security.
On the regional front, President Mahama updated the envoy on his recent diplomatic visits to Sahelian nations—Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—aimed at rebuilding trust and improving relations. He revealed that the upcoming ECOWAS summit, his first as President, will prioritize discussions on the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), with plans to share insights from his recent engagements.
Economically, President Mahama delivered an optimistic assessment, highlighting Ghana’s encouraging first quarter results: a 5.3% GDP growth, inflation falling from 23% to 18%, and targeted reduction to 13% by year-end. These improvements, he noted, signal growing investor confidence and prospects for easing living costs for Ghanaians.
High Commissioner Harriet Thompson, reflecting on her tenure, expressed gratitude for the support received and acknowledged the successful implementation of numerous British-funded projects in Ghana. As she departs, both leaders expressed hope for continued collaboration, with a renewed focus on fostering economic growth and regional stability.
