On Wednesday, President John Dramani Mahama and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, reached an agreement to enhance strategic collaboration in the energy sector, which includes proposed investments from the UAE in oil and gas storage facilities in Ghana.
These discussions occurred during the Make it in the Emirates 2026 summit, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
The two leaders examined avenues to bolster bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, renewable energy, innovation, technology, and artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on energy security and diversification.
President Mahama and Sheikh Mohamed also addressed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, recognizing the UAE’s strategic role amidst regional tensions. Both leaders expressed their hope for a prompt resolution to the hostilities between the United States and Iran, emphasizing that renewed stability would enable the international community to redirect its attention towards sustainable development and innovation.
In their discussions regarding the future of energy, the leaders highlighted the necessity of diversifying energy portfolios beyond conventional fossil fuels. They explored alternative strategies to secure the energy sector, including a shift towards Liquefied Natural Gas and solar energy to lessen reliance on crude oil.
The UAE President reiterated his nation’s dedication to fortifying relations with Ghana and commended the West African country as a “peaceful partner” and a “secure, stable democracy” with promising prospects for mutual growth.
President Mahama affirmed Ghana’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with the UAE in ways that would generate economic opportunities and promote sustainable development for both nations.
Both leaders conveyed optimism that the revitalized partnership would yield significant advancements in trade, investment, and sustainable energy collaboration in the forthcoming years.
