Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, in his speech at the Ghana National Day and Iftar program at a hotel in Ankara, said Ghana, the first African country to gain independence in 1957, was also a source of inspiration for African countries struggling for their independence.
Stressing that Ghana stands out among African countries for its democratic identity and the fact that it is a safe and stable country, Bolat continued:
“Our country, which has adopted the vision of a continent where Africa and its people live in greater prosperity and peace, based on the principle of African solutions to African problems, has made great progress in its relations with Africa over the last 20 years. The fact that our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has made more than 50 visits to 31 African countries clearly shows the importance Turkey attaches to the African continent, its countries and its people.”
Türkiye has deepened and improved its relations with more than 50 countries on the continent based on mutual respect, equal partnership and win-win understanding within the framework of the expansion strategy into Africa launched under the leadership of our President. “As a prerequisite of this strategic vision, our country, on the one hand, contributes to improving the negative economic conditions in Africa and, on the other hand, has significantly improved its political, economic and cultural investment cooperation with the countries of the continent.”
Bolat reported that while the total trade volume between 54 African countries and Turkey was $5.4 billion in 2003, it increased 7.5-fold to $40 billion in 2025.
Explaining that over the same period, exports increased about 12 times from $2.1 billion to $24 billion and imports increased five times from $3.3 billion to $16 billion, Bolat said: “Our diplomatic representation capability has reached a high level that supports this cooperation. While in 2002 we only had embassies in 12 African countries and trade consultancies in three countries, today we have embassies in 44 African countries and act.” Consulting companies in 31 African countries.” “Our national airline, Turkish Airlines (THY), offers direct flights to 62 destinations on the African continent. This brings our people and the people of African countries closer together, and also transports the people of African countries to the world through transit and connecting flights.” he said.
Bolat explained that the Foreign Economic Relations Board has established joint economic councils with 48 African countries.
Stating that relations between Turkey and Ghana, based on sincere friendship, have deepened, developed and developed in many directions in all areas, Bolat said: “The visits of the President of Ghana, Mr. John Dramani Mahama, to our country in January 2013 and the official visits of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to Accra, the capital of Ghana, in February 2026 were important milestones in Turkey-Ghana.” With these two mutual visits, new economic and commercial goals arise between the two countries. “The aim is to develop bilateral cooperation in many areas, from defense to agriculture, culture, sports and health. Following the reciprocal visits of the presidents, joint business and investment forums, meetings and trade fairs at the level of ministers and business organizations were held, expanding the areas of bilateral cooperation.” gave his assessment.
“Our Turkish contractors have completed 16 projects in Ghana so far.”
Bolat noted that the visits of Ghanaian Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka and Ghanaian Food and Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku to Türkiye in February gave significant impetus to bilateral relations and contributed to the further development of cooperation.
Pointing out that Turkiye-Ghana relations are going well in the field of mutual trade, Bolat continued as follows:
“In this context, last year the trade volume between the two countries increased to $844 million per year. This was a record high. We are close to reaching our goal of $1 billion in total trade volume and infrastructure sectors “We want to implement comprehensive cooperation projects between our countries in areas with high potential such as health, education and agriculture.”
Bolat stated that about 125 Ghanaian students are currently pursuing their higher education in Turkey.
Bolat emphasized that with the bridges they build between Türkiye and Ghana, these students will improve relations between the two countries and act as important ambassadors in the development of bilateral relations:
“THY connects our people and our countries with round-trip flights between Istanbul and Accra every day of the week. In addition, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the Turkish Maarif Foundation and our other non-governmental organizations, voluntary organizations and associations seek to support the development and development of Ghana with their activities in the development field. On this occasion, we once again celebrate the National Independence Day of our sister country Ghana on March 6th. Congratulations on the 69th anniversary.”
Speaking at the program, Ghana's Ambassador to Ankara, Abdul Nasiruddin, stated that Ghana is one of the best entry points to West Africa and urged Turkish investors not to be late to invest in Africa in the field of industry.
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