Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says Ghana and Canada have agreed to deepen cooperation in five key areas, including youth skills development, peacekeeping, women’s empowerment and sustainable mining.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Ablakwa said the agreements followed what he described as “very positive and meaningful discussions” with Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, Randeep Sarai.

He noted that Mr Sarai had demonstrated his commitment to Ghana by making the country his first destination after his appointment last year.

Outlining the outcomes of the engagement, Mr Ablakwa said the two countries would establish a partnership on labour mobility and skills empowerment for young people, focusing on digital literacy, standardised certification for global jobs, energy transition and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

The countries will also strengthen collaboration with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre to enhance its role in promoting regional stability and counterterrorism.

Mr Ablakwa further disclosed that Canada would provide technical support for the establishment of Ghana’s Women’s Development Bank.

On environmental sustainability, he said Ghana and Canada had agreed to cooperate on modern environmental protection and land reclamation while promoting legal and sustainable mining practices.

The two countries are also expected to coordinate a broader Africa-Canada dialogue in 2027 to align development priorities, including trade, industrialisation, railway development and value addition.

Mr Ablakwa said the initiative would support Africa’s drive for rapid transformation through trade and industrialisation rather than aid.