President Jacob Zuma will this evening, 6 January 2013, travel to Accra, Ghana for the inauguration of Mr John Dramani Mahama as President of the Republic of Ghana happening on Monday 7 January 2013. In the December 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary election, Mr Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) won 50,7% of the vote.

Relations between South Africa and Ghana are excellent, and the late President of Ghana, Professor John Evans Atta Mills paid a State Visit to South Africa in August 2011.

The last Session of the Permanent Joint Commission for Co-operation (PJCC), postponed due to the untimely passing of the late President, is expected to be held in South Africa in the coming months. During this meeting, action plans for the seven Agreements/Memoranda of Understanding signed during the State Visit in August 2011 will be drawn up and further areas of co-operation will be explored.

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe paid a Working Visit to Ghana in April 2012 following the March 2012 private visit of President-elect Mahama, who was the Vice President of Ghana at the time.

Initially trade between the two countries concentrated on agricultural products, but since 2005 South Africa has begun to export value added manufactured capital goods to Ghana, reflecting the significant presence of SA Multinationals in the Ghanaian economy.

President Zuma will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

Enquiries: Mac Maharaj 0798793203/ macmaharaj@mweb.co.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria