JOINT COMMUNIQUE ON THE OCCASION OF THE STATE VISIT TO KENYABY H.E. JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF

GHANA - 11TH TO 14TH DECEMBER, 2014

1. At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. UhuruKenyatta, CGH, the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani

Mahama made a state visit to the Republic of Kenya from 11th to 14th

December, 2014. H.E. John Dramani Mahama was accompanied by a highpowered delegation consisting of Ministers and senior officials from theRepublic of Ghana

2. The three-day historic State Visit, the first by a sitting Head of State ofthe Republic of Ghana, provided an opportunity to re-energise andstrengthen the warm and brotherly relations which exist between theGovernments and people of the Republic of Kenya and the Republic ofGhana. As testimony to the cordial relations between the two countries,H.E. John Dramani Mahama participated in celebrations commemoratingKenya’s 51st Independence anniversary yesterday.

3. The two Presidents held discussions on a wide range of issues of mutualinterest at bilateral, regional, continental and global levels.

4. At the bilateral level, the two Presidents recalled the close relationshipbetween the founding fathers of the two nations, the late President JomoKenyatta and the late President Kwame Nkrumah and their shared visionfor a united and prosperous Africa. The two leaders reinforced theirpledge to the furtherance and realization of these goals. They expressedsatisfaction at the excellent historical and fraternal relations thatcontinue to flourish between the Governments and people of the twocountries.

5. They noted that the conclusion and signing of the Agreement on GeneralCooperation and the Memorandum of Understanding on Political

Consultations between the two countries on 29th January, 2014, haveprovided an effective legal framework for strengthening bilateral relationsand for deepening cooperation between the two countries.

6. The two Presidents pledged to enhance and further consolidate economicand trade ties to reflect the excellent relations existing between the twocountries; and reiterated their support to the private sector throughprovision of a conducive environment for investment. They underscoredthe need to expand the existing cooperation with concrete, sustainableand mutually rewarding legal instruments and activities that wouldpromote cooperation in the sectors of energy, ICT, trade, tourism,transport, agriculture and education

7. The two Presidents witnessed the historic signing of seven (7)

Agreements:

• Bilateral Air Services Agreement between the Government of the

Republic of Kenya and the Government of the Republic of Ghana

• Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of

Kenya and the Government of the Republic of Ghana

• Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the

Republic of Kenya and the Government of the Republic of Ghana onCooperation in Energy, Oil and Gas Sectors

• Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Education,

Science and Technology of the Republic of Kenya and the Ministry ofEducation of the Republic of Ghana on

• Technical, Vocational, Education and Training (TVET) Reforms·

• Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the

Republic of Kenya and the Government of the Republic of Ghana onCooperation in the Field of Tourism

• Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Agriculture

between the Government of the Republic of Kenya and theGovernment of the Republic of Ghana

• Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the

Republic of Kenya and the Government of the Republic of Ghana onCooperation in Information, Communications and Technology (ICT)

8. The two Presidents stressed the key role that the African countries,Regional Economic Communities and the African Union must continue toplay in the pursuit of peace and security in the African Continent,particularly now in the Horn of Africa, West Africa and the Great LakesRegion. The two leaders discussed the serious threat posed by terrorismand underlined their commitment to fight the scourge together with theinternational community. They also committed to re-dedicate their effortsto combat transnational crimes through exchange of information andintelligence at both bilateral and multinational levels.

9. H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta commended H.E. President John DramaniMahama for spearheading efforts against the Ebola Virus Disease, in hiscapacity as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) as well as his efforts in addressing the challenge that facedthe brotherly nation of Burkina Faso. H.E. President John DramaniMahama applauded H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta for his efforts in peacebuilding in Somalia and South Sudan.

10. H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta, on behalf of the people of Kenya,

acknowledged the steadfast support of the government and people of theRepublic of Ghana to the Government and people of Kenya and thankedH.E President John Dramani Mahama for honouring his invitation to visitKenya.

11. H.E. President John Dramani Mahama expressed warm appreciationto H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta, the people and the government ofKenya, for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to hisdelegation during the visit.

12. H.E. President John Dramani Mahama extended an invitation to H.E.President Uhuru Kenyatta to pay a State Visit to the Republic of Ghana,on a mutually convenient date to be agreed upon through diplomaticchannels.

13. H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta warmly accepted the invitation.

Issued this 13th Day of December, 2014 in Nairobi, Kenya