His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini, yesterday arrived in Ghana to commence a historic four-day state visit aimed at deepening diplomatic, economic and cultural ties between the two countries.
Upon his arrival at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, King Mswati III was received by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, and top government officials before being escorted to the seat of government for talks with President John Dramani Mahama.
Amidst cultural displays, he was welcomed to the Presidency by President Mahama.
After the short ceremony to welcome him, the two leaders jointly addressed the media before going into conclave for bilateral talks.
The on-camera discussions between the two men centered around trade, diplomatic relations, culture, tourism among others.
Welcoming the King to Ghana, President Mahama was of the conviction that the visit would cement the existing relation between Ghana and the Kingdom of Eswatini.
As the pacesetter of African unity, President Mahama said Ghana still believed that African countries must continue to forge closer ties.
To this end, he said the signing of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area protocol which allows unimpeded access to each other’s market would be explored to the benefit of both countries.
Sharing with President Mahama his mission to Ghana, King Mswati observed that there were untapped opportunities that would be mutually beneficial to both countries.
On trade between the two countries and the larger African continent, he said it was very limited and that the time had come for the situation to be turned around to make the continent a trade hub.
“So we are here from Eswatini to see what opportunities exist and how we can (tap into them) because obviously, when you are to trade, infrastructure is one of the key things that had to be developed,” he stated.
He was hopeful the visit would open the door for citizens of the two countries to explore existing opportunities and know each other for mutual benefit.
The King said there is a sizeable and a well-behaved Ghanaian community in the Southern African country contributing to its growth and assured President Mahama of their safety and security.
The occasion was used to sign a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of a joint commission of cooperation between the two countries.
As part of his itinerary, King Mswati III is scheduled to meet with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, where he would visit the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and a tour of the historic Manhyia Palace Museum, address the National House of Chiefs and attend a grand durbar of chiefs organised in his honour at Manhyia Palace.
Formally known as Swaziland until 2018, Eswatini, a landlocked country is an absolute monarchy, the last of its kind in Africa and has been ruled by King Mswati since 1986.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
