Mr Lord Collins, the UK Minister for Africa, will visit Ghana on September 17, marking his first trip to West Africa.
The visit aims to strengthen the long-standing partnership between the UK and Ghana, with a focus on collaboration in green energy, food security, and innovation.
During his visit, Lord Collins is scheduled to meet with key stakeholders, including Ghanaian government ministers, leaders in the tech and innovation sectors, and food security agencies.
He will also engage with civil society organizations working on shared priorities such as democracy and security.
As part of the visit, Lord Collins will announce several funding initiatives, including:
£3.8 million, in partnership with Shell Foundation, to make green energy more accessible to Ghanaians. At least £1 million to support Ghana’s drought response. £500,000 for a food fortification programme in northern Ghana.
In a statement ahead of the visit, Lord Collins emphasized the importance of the UK-Ghana relationship:
“The UK and Ghana are close friends, and my visit is all about deepening our partnership for closer, stronger collaboration across various sectors, from green growth to food security.
Working together, we can address shared challenges and unlock new opportunities for both our nations.”
British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the significance of the visit:
“We are thrilled to welcome Lord Collins to Ghana, where he will witness first-hand the breadth and depth of our partnership.
The Minister’s choice of Ghana for his first West African visit speaks volumes about the importance of the UK-Ghana relationship to our new government.
The visit will reinforce our shared commitment to a prosperous, sustainable future for both countries.”
The visit will also highlight ongoing efforts to enhance collaboration between the UK and Ghana, such as the Sankore Call for Proposals, which aims to strengthen innovation and technology across West Africa. Additionally, the food fortification programme in northern Ghana will help incorporate essential nutrients into over 8 million school meals by March 2025, with support from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
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