King Mswati III of Eswatini has expressed his country’s commitment to strengthening ties with Ghana, particularly in trade, infrastructure, and cultural cooperation.
The monarch, Ingwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini, is currently on a four-day state visit to Ghana aimed at deepening bilateral relations between the two nations.
He was welcomed at the Kotoka International Airport on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, and later hosted at the Presidency by President Mahama and Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
Speaking during a high-level discussion with President Mahama, King Mswati III said Eswatini is eager to learn from Ghana’s experience in economic development, infrastructure, and regional cooperation.
“We are here from Eswatini to see what are the opportunities, how can we trade,” he said. “Obviously when you are to do trade, infrastructure is one of the key things for any developing country or continent.”
He underscored the importance of intra-African trade and urged African countries to make full use of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Let’s trade more with African countries. Because if you look at the trade within Africa, you can see that it is very limited. It is high time we really turn around that situation.”
The King also acknowledged the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges, calling for more engagement between the citizens of both countries.
“We have a lot in common, especially when it comes to culture, lifestyles, and so on. We can share a lot, a lot of ideas could be developed.”
He praised Ghana’s historic role in the liberation of the continent and in the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU). King Mswati III also commended Ghana’s global leadership, referencing figures such as former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Ghana’s ongoing role in international diplomacy.
As part of the visit, Ghana and Eswatini signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise new areas of cooperation between the two countries.
In his remarks, King Mswati III congratulated President Mahama on his re-election and extended an invitation to him to visit Eswatini.
“We want to see you in Eswatini so that we can be able to return the hospitality that has been given to us since we arrived in this beautiful country,” he said.
READ: Mahama hosts King Mswati III, pledges stronger Ghana-Eswatini bilateral ties
After the meeting at the Presidency, King Mswasti paid a courtesy visit to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace as part of efforts to deepen cultural and traditional ties between the two countries.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Risa Wyettey Cofie
