Ghana proposes visa waiver agreement with Lebanon to boost bilateral ties
Ghana has proposed a visa waiver agreement with Lebanon covering holders of diplomatic, service, and ordinary passports to strengthen bilateral relations and facilitate travel, trade, and investment between the two countries.
Ghana’s Ambassador to the Republic of Lebanon, with residence in Cairo, Egypt, H.E. Prof. Justice Solomon Korantwi-Barimah, highlighted the proposal during the presentation of his Letters of Credence to Lebanese President H.E. Joseph Aoun in Beirut on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
The proposed agreement is expected to promote people-to-people exchanges, facilitate business engagements and reinforce the longstanding friendship between Ghana and Lebanon.
Prof. Korantwi-Barimah reaffirmed Ghana’s readiness to work with the Lebanese government to identify new areas of cooperation and advance shared interests.
Strengthening longstanding relations
The Ambassador conveyed greetings from President John Dramani Mahama, the Government and people of Ghana to President Aoun and the people of Lebanon.
He underscored Ghana’s commitment to deepening relations with Lebanon, noting that the two countries established formal diplomatic ties in the early years of Ghana’s independence in 1957. Lebanon, he said, was the second country in the Middle East with which Ghana established formal diplomatic relations.
He added that the relationship predated formal diplomatic engagement and had grown over the years through commercial exchanges, people-to-people interactions and the settlement of Lebanese nationals in Ghana.
Prof. Korantwi-Barimah acknowledged the contributions of the Lebanese community to Ghana’s social and economic development, describing its integration into Ghanaian society as evidence of the enduring friendship and mutual trust between the two countries.
Trade and investment opportunities
On economic cooperation, the Ambassador commended Lebanese businesses for their longstanding investments in Ghana and their contributions to the country’s development.
He expressed Ghana’s interest in expanding collaboration with Lebanon in trade, investment, hospitality, education, healthcare and tourism.
According to him, stronger partnerships in these sectors could open up investment opportunities, encourage knowledge and skills transfer, create jobs and support sustainable economic growth in both countries.
He reiterated Ghana’s willingness to engage the Lebanese government and private sector to translate the longstanding relationship into practical economic benefits.
Cooperation on international issues
Prof. Korantwi-Barimah also expressed Ghana’s appreciation for Lebanon’s support for the adoption of United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/80/250, concerning the trafficking of enslaved Africans and the racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.
He described Lebanon’s support as a demonstration of international solidarity and recognition of the importance of historical truth, justice and human dignity.
The Ambassador further highlighted Ghana’s longstanding contribution to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), noting that the country’s participation reflected its commitment to international peace and security.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s support for peaceful conflict resolution and diplomatic initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue, stability and security at the regional and international levels.
He also expressed interest in strengthening cooperation with Lebanon on issues of mutual concern, including sustainable development and relations between Africa and the Middle East.
Labour and migration
On labour and migration, the Ambassador welcomed discussions between the two governments on establishing appropriate frameworks to manage labour mobility and migration.
He said closer cooperation could promote orderly migration, strengthen institutional collaboration and improve workers’ welfare and protection in line with applicable national laws and international obligations.
Prof. Korantwi-Barimah expressed Ghana’s readiness to engage relevant Lebanese authorities to explore practical arrangements that address the concerns of both countries.
Commitment to deeper cooperation
The Ambassador reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to working with the Lebanese government and relevant institutions to strengthen cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
He expressed confidence that sustained dialogue and mutual understanding would create further opportunities for collaboration and deepen the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
He also thanked President Aoun for the warm reception accorded to him and his delegation, expressing optimism about a productive tenure focused on advancing the shared interests of Ghana and Lebanon.
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