Ghana and Switzerland have pledged to collaborate in the promotion and protection of human rights all over the globe, and in the maintenance of world peace.

This was agreed when President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo embarked on a two-day historic working visit to Switzerland on Friday and Saturday, 28 and 29 February 2020.

This is the first time, in 60 years, that Switzerland has organised a state visit for a leader from sub-Saharan Africa.

Nana Akufo-Addo and Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga affirmed their collective resolve to strengthen relations between Ghana and Switzerland on the basis of trade and investment co-operation.

Ahead of Nana Akufo-Addo’s visit, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Ghana, Mr Phillip Stalder, at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, 26 February 2020 said: “The bilateral relations between Ghana and Switzerland are excellent and rich in tradition. In fact, the Embassy of Switzerland in Ghana this year celebrates its 60th anniversary.

“For Switzerland, Ghana is of growing importance in tackling global challenges and cooperating politically and economically. This two-day state visit demonstrates the growing depth of our long-standing and friendly partnership”, said Ambassador Stalder.

“Ghana is, indeed, Switzerland’s second-biggest trading partner in Africa. In 2019, Switzerland recorded a trade rate of 2.5 billion USD with Ghana. Gold and cocoa exports to Switzerland account for the majority of trade.

“Under its development cooperation programme, Switzerland has invested more than 370 million dollars and supports Ghana to diversify its economy and use its resources sustainably.

“For example, Switzerland works with the Ministry of Finance to improve the management of revenues from natural resources.

“Switzerland also cooperates with Ghana under the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) and launched the Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa with the aim of improving social, environmental and economic sustainability of the cocoa sector.”