South Africa-Ghana Joint Media Statement

At the invitation of His Excellency Mr Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, President of the Republic of Ghana, paid a State Visit to the Republic of South Africa from 23 to 24 August 2011.

His Excellency Professor Atta Mills was accompanied by a high level delegation comprising of Ministers and senior government officials.

During the visit, which was aimed at further strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation that exist between South Africa and Ghana, the two Heads of State held substantive and fruitful one-on-one discussions on many issues of common interest at bilateral, regional and international levels, during which ways of further strengthening the bilateral ties were addressed.

The two Heads of State expressed appreciation for the excellent ties of friendship and cooperation which exist between their two countries and their two peoples and reaffirmed their willingness to further deepen them.

In this regard, the Presidents of South Africa and Ghana instructed their respective Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation and of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to convene the third meeting of the South Africa-Ghana Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation in 2012 in South Africa.

His Excellency, President Zuma commended the work done with dynamism and determination by His Excellency, President Atta Mills in promoting the peaceful resolution of conflicts in Cote d’ Ivoire and the West Africa region generally,  as well as his leadership with respect to national reconstruction, reconciliation and the consolidation of peace and democracy.

On his part, His Excellency President Atta Mills commended the role that His Excellency, President Zuma, played in resolving the post-election crisis in Cote d’Ivoire, as well as the search for a speedy resolution to the crisis in Libya.

The two Heads of State stressed the necessity of strengthening the African Union and sub-regional organisations in Africa with a view to promoting peace, security, stability and sustainable development.

To this end, they strongly urged the international community to support the untiring efforts of the AU in settling the socio-political crisis in some African countries such as Somalia.

On the international arena, the two Heads of State reaffirmed the necessity to introduce, without further delay, reforms within the United Nations System, particularly with regard to the Security Council.

They called for the establishment of a new world economic order which would take into account the interests of the poor countries in order to narrow the ever-growing gap between the poor and the rich.

During his stay in the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Professor Atta Mills, among other activities, laid a wreath at the Gugulethu 7 Memorial.

The two Heads of State observed the signing of the following Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between South Africa and Ghana:

• The MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Information and Communication Technologies;
• The MoU Regarding Economic and Technical Cooperation;
• The MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism;
• The MoU Regarding Cooperation in the Fields of Oil and Gas;
• The Agreement regarding the Waiver of Visa Requirements for holders of Diplomatic and Official or Service Passports.
• The Agreement on Defence Training and Technical Cooperation.

They urged the relevant Ministers to take all necessary measures to implement the content of the above Memoranda of Understanding.

At the end of his visit to South Africa, His Excellency, Professor Atta Mills, expressed deep gratitude to his Brother, His Excellency President Zuma, to the Government and to the People of South Africa for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and to his delegation.

His Excellency Professor Atta Mills took the opportunity to invite His Excellency, Mr Zuma, to pay a reciprocal visit to the Republic of Ghana.  The invitation was accepted with pleasure and the date will be jointly agreed via diplomatic channels.

For further information please contact Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, on 082 884 5974.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
www.dirco.gov.za

24 August 2011