The Head of State arrived in Accra on Tuesday morning and was warmly received by the local military and traditional dancers before proceeding to Black Stars Square in the Ghanaian capital, where the ceremony took place.
Mahama, a former president and opposition figure, won December's presidential election with 56.55% of the vote. The 66-year-old made a comeback to the presidency after serving as Ghana's president from 2012 to 2016.
Mahama's main rival, Vice President and ruling-party presidential candidate Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat in both the presidential and legislative elections to ease tensions.
Rwanda and Ghana maintain robust bilateral relations, characterized by active diplomatic engagement and cooperation across various sectors.
Rwanda-Ghana cooperation dates back several decades. In 1994, the Ghanaian contingent under the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) was among the few that remained in Rwanda to protect civilians targeted during the Genocide against the Tutsi, despite UN orders to evacuate.
Since then, Rwanda and Ghana have strengthened their relations and cooperated on multiple fronts, with the establishment of Rwanda's resident High Commission in the West African country in 2020 playing a pivotal role.
Currently, Rwanda and Ghana have signed a General Cooperation Agreement (GCA), a Bilateral Air Service Agreement, an Agreement for the establishment of a Joint Permanent Commission, and Memoranda of Understanding in various sectors, including Defense and Security Cooperation, private sector collaboration, tourism, arts and culture, financial sector cooperation, and trade and economic cooperation.
These cooperation instruments continue to be pursued in other sectors to facilitate collaboration between the public, private, and civil society.
To further strengthen relations, Ghana appointed its first resident High Commissioner to Rwanda last year, establishing a resident High Commission to elevate bilateral ties to a higher level.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
