Staff Reporter
THE Fifth Namibia-Ghana Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC) has officially commenced in Swakopmund, aiming to enhance bilateral relations, trade, and investment between the two countries.
Ambassador Penda Naanda, the Executive Director of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, explained that the bilateral relations between the two countries are excellent and have been advancing since the last Namibia-Ghana JPCC. However, he expressed hope that the Fifth Namibia-Ghana JPCC would bring even more advancements in their relations.
Naanda expressed excitement that Namibia’s beef has found a market in Ghana, while Ghanaian shea butter, cosmetics, and fabrics have found a place in the Namibian market.
ENHANCING BILATERAL RELATIONS: Scenes from the Fifth Namibia-Ghana Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC) in Swakopmund. Photos: Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation. 
ENHANCING BILATERAL RELATIONS: Scenes from the Fifth Namibia-Ghana Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC) in Swakopmund. Photos: Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation.
“This is essential, for it is bilateral trade that will bring about intra-African trade. Like Ghana, Namibia has recently discovered oil. Namibia could draw from Ghanaian experience, including local content laws. Another initiative that Namibia is learning from Ghana is the December in Ghana project. We look forward to further elaboration on these initiatives during the deliberations,” he emphasised.
He highlighted the need to enhance measures to effectively connect the private sectors of both countries to take advantage of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.
“As coastal states, our Port Authorities are critical in the movement of goods and services, and we look forward to a report on the implementation of the relevant Memorandum of Understanding in this regard,” he said.
Naanda further revealed that the two countries have many issues to address during the ongoing JPCC, including political and diplomatic matters, trade and investment, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) development, youth and sports, immigration, transport and maritime issues, agriculture and agribusiness, port management, mining, energy, tourism, education, and health.
“It behoves us to conduct meaningful deliberations on issues of mutual interest and produce concrete but realistic outcomes which will bring about meaningful improvement in the lives of our people,” Naanda emphasised.
