Ghana, Slovakia to begin visa waiver talks, explore vehicle assembly plant

Ghana and Slovakia have agreed to immediately begin negotiations towards a visa waiver agreement, while exploring a potential partnership to supply buses to Ghana and establish a vehicle assembly plant in the country.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the agreements after receiving the open letters of four newly appointed non-resident ambassadors to Ghana, including Slovakia’s Ambassador-Designate, Martin Podstavek.

As part of efforts to strengthen economic relations, Slovakia is expected to host a Ghana-Slovakia business forum within the next two weeks, focusing on investment opportunities in the automotive, banking and pharmaceutical sectors.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, Mr Ablakwa said the two countries had agreed to begin negotiations on the proposed visa waiver arrangement.

“Ghana and Slovakia have agreed to immediately commence negotiations for a Visa Waiver Agreement.

“Slovakia will host a Ghana-Slovakia business forum within the next two weeks, focusing on the automotive, banking and pharmaceutical sectors,” he said.

The Foreign Affairs Minister also disclosed that the two countries were exploring a partnership that could facilitate the supply of buses to Ghana and the establishment of a vehicle assembly plant.

“We are also exploring a partnership to deliver buses and a vehicle assembly plant in Ghana,” he added.

The proposed visa waiver agreement and business forum are expected to support broader efforts to deepen bilateral relations, encourage investment and facilitate engagement between citizens and businesses in both countries.

Mr Ablakwa also received the open letters of Sweden’s Anna Westerholm, Finland’s Sanna Selin and Thailand’s Thirapath Mongkolnavin.

Ghana and Sweden are seeking to expand cooperation in railway construction, artificial intelligence investments, agribusiness, digitalisation of revenue administration and defence under President John Dramani Mahama’s New Economy initiative.

The proposed areas of cooperation are intended to strengthen economic and institutional relations between the two countries.

With Finland, Ghana has agreed to strengthen cooperation in education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), fintech incubation, maritime security and counterterrorism.

The areas identified reflect the two countries' interest in expanding collaboration in skills development, innovation and security.

Ghana and Thailand are also expected to deepen cooperation, particularly on Ghana’s application for BRICS partnership.

According to Mr Ablakwa, Thailand is expected to share its experience as an official BRICS partner nation to support Ghana’s engagement with the bloc.

The two countries will also pursue cooperation in rice production as part of efforts to reduce Ghana’s dependence on imports.

Other areas of collaboration include labour mobility and fisheries, with a particular focus on boosting local canned fish production.